WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) today led 37 of their colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act, which would authorize the establishment of a memorial for service members of the Global War on Terrorism on the National Mall. Both Gallagher and Crow are veterans of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), having served in the Marines and the Army, respectively.
Reps. Gallagher and Crow previously introduced the legislation in November 2019.
“As a veteran of the Global War on Terror, I served alongside many brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our country. It’s past time to honor their service, and the sacrifice of all those who served in this war,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher. “This memorial is a small way to do so, and there’s no place more fitting for it than the National Mall. I’m proud to introduce this bill alongside Rep. Crow, and hope that when our generation of veterans travels to D.C. on an Honor Flight, they can see their service commemorated next to veterans from World War II, Vietnam, and Korea.”
“The Global War on Terrorism changed the course of American history and the lives of millions of service members, military families, first responders, and civil servants – including my own,” said Rep. Jason Crow. “Those of us that have served know the transformative power of a sacred place where veterans and their families can come to reflect, remember, and heal. A permanent tribute to their courage and sacrifice in our nation’s capital will go a long way in honoring those who have served in our nation’s longest war.”
“Our all-volunteer fighting force belongs to a legacy of commitment and determination that began in this nation’s infancy,” said Army Veteran & GWOT Memorial Foundation President & CEO Marina Jackman. “Today, Representatives Crow and Gallagher have put us on a path toward fully recognizing the significant contributions service members, civilians, and their families have made in the longest ongoing conflict in our nation’s history — the Global War on Terrorism. This Memorial will provide a permanent place of reflection, empowerment, and healing in the heart of our nation’s capital, and it will serve as a symbol of unity during this time of political division. We are so grateful to Representatives Crow and Gallagher for championing this bill.”
Rep. Gallagher served in the United States Marine Corps for seven years as a Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence Officer and Regional Affairs Officer for the Middle East/North Africa, where he earned the rank of Captain. He deployed twice to Al Anbar Province, Iraq as a commander of intelligence teams, and served on General Petraeus’s Central Command Assessment Team in the Middle East.
Rep. Crow served with the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq where he received a Bronze Star for his leadership during the Battle of As Samawah and later two combat tours in Afghanistan with the 75th Ranger Regiment where he was tasked with fighting the Haqqani Network, an insurgent group on the Afghanistan – Pakistan border.
