Weekly Columns
Enshrining Gulf War Veterans’ Service
Nov 09 2026
The men and women who carried out Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield finally have a place in Washington, D.C. to reflect on their service, honor fallen comrades and share their experiences with visitors from around our nation and across the world.
This tribute was necessary and overdue.
The site of the newly completed Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial honors the veterans who liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. The United States was fortunate to have the support of dozens of international partners to accomplish the goal of driving out Saddam Hussein’s forces from neighboring territory.
Approximately 700,000 U.S. servicemembers deployed in support of the operations in 1990 and 1991, with several hundred making the ultimate sacrifice.
They, their fellow troops who served and the families that supported them deserved a monument that would help tell this story to future generations.
Arkansas played an important part in bringing it to life.
Little Rock native Jeff Kurczek and Brenten Byrd of Elm Springs both served on the board of the National Desert Storm War Memorial Association. The organization was incorporated in our state and did a tremendous job advocating for its creation.
Establishing a new memorial on the National Mall quite literally takes an act of Congress –– in this case two, one to authorize the construction of a monument and the other to permit its specific location. I was proud to help champion this effort with my friend from Indiana, former Senator Joe Donnelly. In 2013, we introduced legislation to authorize it after outreach from Gulf War veterans like Jeff and Brenten as well as my dear friend Scott Stump, who serves as the Association’s CEO.
Not only did Arkansans help lead the charge on establishing a national memorial. Our state’s contributions to the campaign itself were notable.
The Arkansas Army National Guard deployed 13 units while members of 10 Arkansas Air National Guard units were called into federal service. In fact, more than 3,400 Arkansans took part in the Gulf War with four Natural State servicemembers laying down their lives during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Our state represented the second-highest percentage of National Guard forces of any state or territory that participated, according to the Military Department of Arkansas.
Arkansas’s 142nd Field Artillery Brigade provided fire support to American and British forces, while the 1122nd Transportation Company transported soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division during Desert Storm.
So it was only right to work in a bipartisan way and help ensure a national symbol would be built alongside our nation’s other war memorials that shows our reverence and respect for the veterans and their families, as well as helping teach the Americans who come after us about their noble service.
The Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial was funded using private donations, including a sizable gift from the government of Kuwait as a gesture of its gratitude.
Now, an estimated 5-6 million annual visitors will get the opportunity to honor and remember the Gulf War and those who won it. It was thoughtfully designed to incorporate many of the characteristics of the climate, geography and cooperation that defined the conflict.
As long as men and women fight and die on behalf of the country we love and the freedoms we espouse, they must never be forgotten. It is incredibly rewarding to have reached the day where this site recognizing and celebrating America’s Gulf War veterans is complete.
There’s a lot dividing Americans right now. But failing to come together to honor and commemorate servicemembers’ courage, valor and sacrifice is one thing that we can never let happen. I am encouraged that the next chapter in that effort to uphold their legacies will be carried on by all of us.
This tribute was necessary and overdue.
The site of the newly completed Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial honors the veterans who liberated Kuwait from an Iraqi invasion. The United States was fortunate to have the support of dozens of international partners to accomplish the goal of driving out Saddam Hussein’s forces from neighboring territory.
Approximately 700,000 U.S. servicemembers deployed in support of the operations in 1990 and 1991, with several hundred making the ultimate sacrifice.
They, their fellow troops who served and the families that supported them deserved a monument that would help tell this story to future generations.
Arkansas played an important part in bringing it to life.
Little Rock native Jeff Kurczek and Brenten Byrd of Elm Springs both served on the board of the National Desert Storm War Memorial Association. The organization was incorporated in our state and did a tremendous job advocating for its creation.
Establishing a new memorial on the National Mall quite literally takes an act of Congress –– in this case two, one to authorize the construction of a monument and the other to permit its specific location. I was proud to help champion this effort with my friend from Indiana, former Senator Joe Donnelly. In 2013, we introduced legislation to authorize it after outreach from Gulf War veterans like Jeff and Brenten as well as my dear friend Scott Stump, who serves as the Association’s CEO.
Not only did Arkansans help lead the charge on establishing a national memorial. Our state’s contributions to the campaign itself were notable.
The Arkansas Army National Guard deployed 13 units while members of 10 Arkansas Air National Guard units were called into federal service. In fact, more than 3,400 Arkansans took part in the Gulf War with four Natural State servicemembers laying down their lives during Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Our state represented the second-highest percentage of National Guard forces of any state or territory that participated, according to the Military Department of Arkansas.
Arkansas’s 142nd Field Artillery Brigade provided fire support to American and British forces, while the 1122nd Transportation Company transported soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division during Desert Storm.
So it was only right to work in a bipartisan way and help ensure a national symbol would be built alongside our nation’s other war memorials that shows our reverence and respect for the veterans and their families, as well as helping teach the Americans who come after us about their noble service.
The Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial was funded using private donations, including a sizable gift from the government of Kuwait as a gesture of its gratitude.
Now, an estimated 5-6 million annual visitors will get the opportunity to honor and remember the Gulf War and those who won it. It was thoughtfully designed to incorporate many of the characteristics of the climate, geography and cooperation that defined the conflict.
As long as men and women fight and die on behalf of the country we love and the freedoms we espouse, they must never be forgotten. It is incredibly rewarding to have reached the day where this site recognizing and celebrating America’s Gulf War veterans is complete.
There’s a lot dividing Americans right now. But failing to come together to honor and commemorate servicemembers’ courage, valor and sacrifice is one thing that we can never let happen. I am encouraged that the next chapter in that effort to uphold their legacies will be carried on by all of us.