Timeline of Events

Timeline of Events

2015
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
2017

March 2017: First Steps Toward A Memorial

First Steps Toward a Memorial

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 it.

2017

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.

2017

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

2017: Generosity In Action

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

2018
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

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. With the exception of three additional members (Cecilia Deyo, Bill Kraus, and General Joseph L. Votel), the Board retains its original composition today.

2019
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.

2019

November 2019: The Mall Is the Mission

Crow and Gallagher

Concurrent with Veterans Day, 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. 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
2020

February 2020: Working with Partners

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

2020

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

2020: Funding the Memorial

Flag Salute Photo

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

2021
2021

February 2021: New Momentum for the Mall

Rep. Crow and Rep. Gallagher reintroduce the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act (H.R. 1115) in the House of Representatives.

2021

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.

2021

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.

2021

December 2021: More Support from Our Allies

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

2021

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
2022

January 2022: Caffeinated Contributions

BRCC 25K

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

2022

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.

2022

June 2022: Partners in Remembering:

Tunnel for Towers Logo

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

2022

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
2023

2023 (Projected): Memorial site selected.

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.

2023

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.

2023

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.

2025
2025

2025 (Projected): Memorial construction begins.

2027
2027

2027 (Projected): Memorial completed.