NEWS RELEASE CONTACT: Jill Etter FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Director of Communications March 26, 2022 PHONE: (210) 508 9953

EMAIL: jill.etter@ndswm.org

THE NATIONAL DESERT STORM MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION PREPARES TO BREAK GROUND

ON THE NATIONAL DESERT STORM AND DESERT SHIELD MEMORIAL

PENDING FINAL DESIGN APPROVAL.

On March 26, 2022, Kuwait announced their additional financial support to

construct the Memorial at the National Mall in Washington D.C. Washington, D.C. -

The National Desert Storm Memorial Association (NDSWM)

is pleased to confirm that the State of Kuwait will be the lead financial donor

for the construction of the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial.

The Ambassador of the State of Kuwait in Washington D.C.,

H.E. Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al Jaber Al-Sabah,

recognized Kuwait’s additional financial support on March 26, 2022.

He stated, “Kuwait is very proud to be the major donor to the construction of this memorial.

Our contribution stems from our strong desire to recognize and honor the men and women

who stood firmly and justly on the right side of history and paid the ultimate price to free

Kuwait from the aggression of Saddam Hussein.” Ambassador Al Sabah further stated,

“Anyone walking around the Mall in Washington cannot but stand in awe of America’s

righteousness and grandeur. This memorial will add another important chapter to that legacy.”

Scott C. Stump, CEO and President of NDSWM said, “This kind and extremely generous donation ensures that the historical significance of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm will be

forever and prominently etched into world history. I would like to express my sincere

gratitude to His Highness, the Emir of the State of Kuwait, the State of Kuwait leadership,

as well as Ambassador Al-Sabah for their steadfast support of this memorial and for

remembering the events, people, and enduring legacy for which this memorial will commemorate. Pending final design approval, we look forward to scheduling the Groundbreaking Ceremony

and beginning construction on the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial.”

In 1991, the United States of America sent a powerful message of international unity and

cooperation to Saddam Hussein by opposing and ejecting Iraq’s occupying forces and liberating

the peaceful nation of Kuwait. The mission, led by the United States Armed Forces during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield was a remarkable example of American leadership,

values, and sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom. In December 2014, President Obama signed the Memorial’s enabling legislation. In March 2017, President Trump signed the law authorizing the Memorial to be built near the National Mall in an Area 1 location. In June 2018, a site located in close proximity to the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial received approval.

The Memorial’s design will commemorate the historical significance of Operation Desert Shield

and Operation Desert Storm while honoring the service and the sacrifice of the United States of

America and Coalition military personnel who liberated Kuwait from Iraq and defended

Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula from further invasion. The Groundbreaking Ceremony

will take place pending final design approval.

 

### Since 2011, the National Desert Storm Memorial Association (NDSWM) has worked to achieve

its singular mission, construction of the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield Memorial.

Our task is the completion and dedication of the memorial by 2024. The law that authorizes

the construction of the Memorial prohibits the use of federal funds to pay any expense to establish

this commemorative work.   NDSWM  is a federally recognized, tax-exempt,

501(c)3 structure led by an all-veteran board of directors.