About Us
“The Memorial will declare to the world that Americans have not forgotten those who have fought.”
– MICHAEL “ROD” RODRIGUEZ
President and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM (GWOT) MEMORIAL FOUNDATION, a 501(c)(3), is the nonprofit organization designated by Congress to plan, fund, and build the National GWOT Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Our Mission
is to build a reverent and apolitical National War Memorial that will honor all who have served and sacrificed in the ongoing Global War on Terrorism. This includes uniformed and non-uniformed veterans, as well as the families who have supported them throughout this incredibly complex war fought by so few.
Our Vision
for the Memorial is for it to be an inclusive and reverent space for all who have served and sacrificed in the GWOT. We also aim to recognize the ongoing nature of the war.
The Memorial Will
Honor
Salute all who served in this conflict: service members, civilians, and their families.
Heal
Provide a focal point for healing and reflection on a complex,
multigenerational conflict.
Empower
Engage and educate civilian and military communities to build mutual understanding.
Unite
Foster and sustain the sense of patriotism that brought all Americans together in the wake of 9/11, and catalyze support for those continuing to serve.
“The memorialization of wars has proven to be an important tool in reconciling experiences of post traumatic stress.
This is why our national memorials are epicenters of healing.”
– Elliot Ackerman
U.S. Marine Corps GWOT Veteran,
GWOT Memorial Foundation Design Advisory Council Co-Chair
What Makes the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Unique
- Telling the entire story of this war by honoring all uniformed and non-uniformed veterans, as well as the families who supported them.
- Prominently situated on the Reserve of the National Mall next to the Lincoln Memorial.
- Previous memorials were constructed years, sometimes decades, after the war’s conclusion. This historic effort is happening as the GWOT has no end in sight.
About the Foundation
The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation was formed in 2015 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation by a small group of like-minded veterans, military spouses, and supportive Americans to honor the service and sacrifice of all individuals – both uniformed and non-uniformed – who have contributed to global counterterrorism efforts since September 11th, 2001.
A distinguished Board of Directors comprised of individuals from military and non- military backgrounds leads the Foundation, with former President George W. Bush serving as the Foundation’s Honorary Chairman. Michael “Rod” Rodríguez, a former U.S. Army Green Beret who deployed ten times, is the Foundation’s President and CEO.
In 2017, Congress designated the Foundation as the entity authorized to plan, fund, and build a Memorial.
Learn more about our history.
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