Timeline of Events

2015
2015: The Foundation is Born
The Foundation Is Born
A small group of veterans, military spouses, and supportive Americans form the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation to honor all who have served and sacrificed in the conflict.
2017
March 2017: First Steps Toward A Memorial
First Steps Toward a Memorial

U.S. Marine Corps GWOT veterans and founding members of the bipartisan For Country Caucus of military veterans in the U.S. House, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) introduce the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Act (H.R. 873) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill calls for the establishment of a Memorial on federal land in Washington, D.C. It also designates the Foundation as the entity authorized to plan, fund, and build said Memorial.

April 2017: Support from the Senate

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) introduce the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Act in the Senate.

August 2017: A Major Victory

Congress passes the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Act. President Trump signs the bill into law on August 18, 2017.

2017: Generosity In Action

NewDay USA Foundation becomes the GWOT Memorial Foundation’s first major donor with a $200,000 gift.

2018
2018: Listening to Our Heroes
Listening to Our Heroes

Qualitative and quantitative feedback from Gold Star families, active duty service members, veterans and veteran family members, faith leaders, and non-military citizens leads the Foundation to seek an exemption to build the Memorial specifically within the Reserve area of the National Mall.

2018: Proven Leaders Join the Team

The Foundation builds an executive leadership team, with former President George W. Bush serving as the Foundation’s Honorary Chairman.

2019
2019: Planning for Success

The Foundation conducts site surveys, area impact studies, and assessments of seven possible sites within the Reserve for the Memorial.

November 2019: The Mall Is the Mission
Crow and Gallagher

Concurrent with Veterans Day, GWOT Veterans Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) and Rep. Gallagher (R-WI) introduce the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act (H.R. 5046) in the House of Representatives. Working alongside With Honor Action, the For Country Caucus endorses the legislation. The legislation specifically seeks authorization for the construction of a Memorial in the Reserve area of the National Mall. Although momentum stalls on the bill’s progress, the issue gains prominence in Congress.

2020
February 2020: Working with Partners

The Foundation briefs the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC) on its plan for the Memorial.

March 2020: Strength in Numbers
Michael Rodriguez

The Foundation joins seven leading military and veterans service organizations to brief Congress on the importance of passing the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act.

2020: Funding the Memorial
Flag Salute Photo

The Foundation launches a grassroots fundraising campaign with a goal of $100 million.

2021
February 2021: New Momentum for the Mall

GWOT Veterans Rep. Crow and Rep. Gallagher reintroduce the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act (H.R. 1115) in the House of Representatives. Rep. Crow and Rep. Gallagher reintroduce the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act (H.R. 1115) in the House of Representatives. Once again, the For Country Caucus, composed of bipartisan veterans, endorses the Act, making it a priority for passage.

March 2021: A New Step Forward
Ernst Hassan

Sen. Ernst (R-IA) and Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduce the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act (S.535) in the Senate.

December 2021: Giving Back
Mission BBQ

MISSION BBQ becomes the first member of the Foundation’s Servant Leadership Council with a donation of more than $1.4 million.

December 2021: More Support from Our Allies

Wounded Warrior Project donates $250,000 to the Foundation.

December 2021: A Defining Achievement

Congress passes the historic Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Agreement. President Biden signs the bill into law on December 27, 2021, authorizing the construction of the Memorial in the Reserve area of the National Mall. The dream of the GWOT Memorial Foundation and our nation’s Gold Star families is becoming a reality.

2022
January 2022: Caffeinated Contributions
BRCC 25K

Black Rifle Coffee Company (BRCC Fund) presents the Foundation with a $25,000 donation.

March 2022: Ruck the Reserve
Join our Ruck the Reserve series

The Foundation holds its inaugural “Ruck the Reserve” event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. with the Secretary of the V.A. Dennis McDonough, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Gold Star families, GWOT Veterans, families, and supporters.

June 2022: Partners in Remembering:
Tunnel for Towers Logo

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation donates $1 million to the Foundation.

December 2022: MISSION BBQ’s Continued Support
Mission BBQ supports GWOTMF with a donation

MISSION BBQ makes a new donation of $1,440,000. This is the second year in a row that MISSION BBQ has contributed more than $1 million to the Foundation.

2023
March 2023: Approval from NCMAC to Move Forward with Site Selection
NCMAC Update

A major milestone in the site selection process! The Foundation received permission from the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC) to proceed with consultations with the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) regarding proposed sites for a national Global War on Terrorism Memorial.

April 2023: CFA Approves Site A
Approved Site

The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) has approved Site A! Click to view site location. The location near the Lincoln Memorial gains favor as a potential Memorial location. The Global War on Terrorism Memorial is closer to becoming a reality with each passing day.

April 2023: NCPC Grants Authorization to Begin Designing Memorial for Site A Location
NCPC Grants Authorization to Begin Designing Memorial for Site A Location

The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) authorizes the Foundation to embark on a design for a Memorial for Site A, moving the Foundation into steps 13-19 of the 24-step Memorial construction process after being in steps 9-12 since August of 2017.

May 2023: The Foundation Convenes Designer Finalists and Moves into Steps 13-19 of the 24-step Memorial Construction Process

Finalists were chosen after a lengthy process, which began summer 2022 with the elevation of 177 American and international firms. The selected firm joins a growing project team to develop the Memorial into the design phase of the Memorial Construction Process.

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July 2023: Announces the Creation of the Design Advisory Council (DAC)

The DAC, a body of Gold Star family members, veterans, and other Global War on Terrorism stakeholders, will educate and advise the project team on the Memorial’s design.

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2025
2027