4 AUG 2017
By Leo Shane III
Lawmakers on Thursday gave final approval to the idea of a Global War on Terror memorial, clearing the path for what is expected to be a years-long process of designing and building a tribute to the latest generation of veterans.
In wrap-up work before their summer recess, senators unanimously approved legislation that would allow planning of the memorial to begin immediately, instead of the normally mandated 10-year wait period after the end of a military conflict.
Supporters have argued that because the ongoing “war on terror” is open-ended, it could take decades before an official end is declared. By then, they worry, a generation of warfighters may have already died without seeing a tribute to their service.