‘An end to this long journey’: Veterans, families welcome long-awaited Gulf War memorial to nation’s capital

A dedication ceremony for the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial marked the formal opening of the landmark. Veterans pose for a photo before the dedication ceremony for the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON — Army veteran Michael Muilenburg wore a thick metal bracelet etched with the name of a fellow soldier who had died in his arms, as he joined thousands of Gulf War veterans on Saturday for the official opening of the first national monument to honor the men and women who served in the Persian Gulf War. A dedication ceremony for the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial on the National Mall marked the formal opening of the landmark and its official induction into the National Park System.

The quarter-acre plaza is north of the Lincoln Memorial, within walking distance of other major military landmarks, including the Vietnam War Memorial. Veterans salute during the national anthem during the dedication ceremony for the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Washington. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) Former Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., addresses veterans and supporters gathered to witness the dedication ceremony for the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial on on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, in Washington. Roe introduced the House