United States: We Thank Kuwait for Its Generous Support in Contributing to the Memorial for Operations 'Desert Shield' and 'Desert Storm' in Washington

Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali attended the opening ceremony of the memorial for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C., in the presence of Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States, Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah.

The Directorate of Moral Guidance at the Ministry of Defense stated in a press release that Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali reviewed the historical significance embodied by the memorial, which reflects the sacrifices of the international coalition forces led by the United States and their role in liberating the State of Kuwait in 1991.

The statement added that Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali recalled during the ceremony the sacrifices and heroism demonstrated by the participating forces, and noted that this monument represents a historical legacy embodying the values of solidarity and cooperation, while underscoring the importance of preserving this historical memory and passing it on to future generations. The memorial reflects the depth of the historical relations and close ties between the two friendly countries.

For his part, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Doug Burgum expressed his country’s gratitude and appreciation to the State of Kuwait, in particular, for its generous support in contributing to the establishment of the memorial for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the heart of the U.S. capital, which honors the sacrifices of U.S. and coalition forces in the 1991 war to liberate Kuwait.

Burgum, in a speech delivered at the official unveiling ceremony of the memorial at the National Mall in Washington, said, “It is a day of patriotism, a day of remembrance, a day of gratitude, and also a day of celebration. We are, of course, celebrating the creation of this magnificent and beautiful memorial.” He added, “We express our gratitude to our friends and allies, many of whom are here, and particularly to the State of Kuwait. Thank you very much to your country for the immense support in building this memorial, which reminds us of how we worked together.”

He noted that the memorial required years of “foresight, diligent work, and commitment to overcome the obstacles to realizing this project on the ground, which will immortalize the sacrifices of veterans of Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the capital of our nation and on the grounds of our national memorial.”

He continued, “We stand in reflection and reverence for those brave souls who served their country, and for those who lost their lives, whether those who fell during combat operations in Desert Storm, symbolized by the wreath on the right, or those who sacrificed their lives during the Desert Shield phase, symbolized by the wreath on the left.” He added, “We honor these veterans not merely because they fought, but for the cause they fought for. They fought for freedom and to liberate the people of Kuwait, and to support our friends and allies in the region.”

He pointed out the importance of the site where the memorial for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm is located, within the extended seating area of the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, one of the most famous and visited memorials in the world, attracting approximately 40 million visitors annually. He said, “Memorials are a tangible embodiment of our pride and gratitude for all who served their country and for all who gave the greatest of sacrifices and dedication. This memorial has now become a national legacy and a trust upon all of our shoulders.”

He clarified that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Park Service will officially assume responsibility for maintaining the memorial forever from the first day of its opening, enabling future generations, decades or centuries from now, to learn about the Americans honored by this important memorial.

The U.S. minister continued, “Our responsibility begins today; it does not end with the current inauguration ceremony but continues through our commitment to preserving this monument, just as we have done and continue to do at other sites across the country and on this national ground (the National Mall).”

He praised the creativity of the designers responsible for completing this memorial structure, saying, “The designers have exerted tremendous effort in creating this exquisite artistic wall, choosing a type of stone that precisely matches the colors of Kuwait’s sand. The emblem of two soaring birds is also featured: one is an eagle representing the United States, and the other is a falcon symbolizing the ancient falconry traditions of the Middle East. Both birds soar toward the dawn of a new day.”

For his part, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, whose remarks were delivered by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby on his behalf during the ceremony, stated that this memorial serves as “a sober and necessary reminder of the seriousness with which we must all approach the use of military force.”

Hegseth added, “We owe it to our fighters to pledge that we will wage wars wisely and effectively, in a manner that ensures the costs borne by Americans remain proportional to the interests at stake.” He emphasized that “Operation Desert Storm was a model of this, and this memorial will stand as a testament to it. In fact, I will likely be able to see it from my office at the Pentagon, serving as a constant personal reminder of this principle.”

He noted that Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm demonstrated the “exceptional impact” of partnerships based on aligned interests, forging strong and enduring bonds between the American people and the peoples of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and other partners in the Gulf region.

He said, “We recall when coalition forces were able to seize the initiative, restore Kuwait’s sovereignty and freedom, and deliver a decisive defeat to Iraqi forces… Our shared victory was overwhelming and the result of a sound strategy executed with skill by a force characterized by competence, readiness, and courage.” He continued, “The victory in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm carries a firm truth: that military force, when used clearly to advance specific political objectives and in cooperation with capable and willing partners, can and will continue to achieve decisive results.”

He considered that “this lesson is not confined to the pages of history; peace and stability in the Gulf region, in the Indo-Pacific, in Europe, and even in our immediate neighborhood, can only be safeguarded through strength,” affirming that “this is the core of President Donald Trump’s approach… achieving peace through strength.” He added, “We honor this partnership and say to everyone who participated in these operations, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice or were injured during this conflict, as well as their families, ‘We appreciate you and we thank you.’ We hope this memorial will ensure that this memory remains present in the minds of future generations as well.”

The inauguration ceremony for the Desert Shield and Desert Storm memorial was held in the presence of a large crowd comprising numerous U.S. officials, senior members of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Washington, cultural and political figures, diplomats from many countries, and a large group of veterans and their families. The celebration also included honors for veterans who participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, as well as for the families of soldiers who were killed in these operations. It featured the performance of a Kuwaiti song about freedom, expressing Kuwait’s gratitude and appreciation for U.S. support during the liberation war.

The memorial is located at the intersection of 23rd Street and Constitution Avenue in a highly significant spot in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., symbolically representing the convergence of Constitution Avenue’s symbolism and the diplomatic presence of the U.S. Department of State, represented by 23rd Street.

The Desert Storm Memorial Association President: An Exceptional Page to Honor the Sacrifices of Those Who Participated in the Liberation of Kuwait

Scott Stump, CEO of the National Desert Storm Memorial Association, stated that the memorial embodies an “exceptional page” in modern military history and perpetuates the sacrifices of participants in an international coalition comprising more than 30 countries that liberated Kuwait in 1991.

Emphasizing the importance of passing the lessons of this experience to future generations, Stump praised the generous support provided by the State of Kuwait and the Kuwait Bankers Association in completing this important memorial. He spoke during the opening ceremony of the Desert Storm and Desert Shield memorial at the National Mall in the heart of Washington, D.C.

He said, “This memorial will tell future generations that an international coalition comprising more than 30 countries from five different continents, with diverse religions and backgrounds, united and made sacrifices to achieve freedom.” He added, “Knowing that between five and six million people will visit this monument annually makes me realize that this story will remain alive and endure long after we are all gone. The lessons will remain present here, forming a living, vibrant classroom for future generations. This memorial will stand as long as Washington, D.C. exists.”

Addressing the veterans present at the ceremony, he said, “To all my fellow veterans, enjoy this memorial that honors your memory. And to all coalition members and the Kuwaiti delegation, this memorial is yours; it is ours all, so enjoy it.”

For his part, former Congressman Phil Roe, a U.S. Army veteran, said in a similar address, “What Scott has built goes beyond being merely a memorial; it is an honor to a coalition of nations that stood together in 1990 and 1991 to restore the freedom of Kuwait.”

Roe added, “It is very fitting that our friends from the State of Kuwait stand with us today, because this memorial tells their story as much as it tells ours. It is an enduring international tribute to everyone who served and to everyone who sacrificed their lives during the Desert Shield and Desert Storm operations.”

On his part, Skip Graham, director of research at OLIN, a prominent firm in landscape architecture and urban design that designed the memorial, said that thanks to the memorial’s location and accessibility, millions of visitors annually will be able to learn about the importance of this conflict and its impact on American history.

Graham added that the memorial is also close to the State Department, which led intensive diplomatic efforts to secure multiple United Nations resolutions and rally coalition support to liberate Kuwait. He explained that the design team created the memorial to serve as an “oasis” within the landscape of the National Mall, where the interior space is surrounded by two earth masses resembling sand dunes, similar to the “Burgan” dunes in Kuwait, formed by sand and swirling desert winds.

He said the sand dunes in the memorial were designed so that the wall surfaces and the artworks they carry can interact with sunlight throughout the day and across the year.

For example, in the afternoon, you will notice that the wreaths are positioned to receive the golden light of the setting sun. This is also a subtle yet clear invitation for you to return here repeatedly throughout the year, even in the evenings.

He added that the Storm Wall is the first wall and is characterized by a highly dynamic presence within the memorial complex, embodying a formation that reflects the power and speed of military operations. Sculptural works by artist Emily Pedard emerge from the sand dunes to depict the stages of the conflict, beginning with military mobilization, moving through engagement and combat, and culminating in the liberation of Kuwait.

He continued that this formation reaches its peak at the highest point of the wall, where intricate details and emotions convey the intensity of the battles. The movement paths take a curved shape, mimicking the design of the Left Hook maneuver executed during Operation Desert Storm, and they connect visitors to all the memorial elements that slowly spiral toward the center of the monument.

He stated that along this path, two stainless steel elements—created by artist Robert Eckstein—stand out, symbolizing both the United States and Kuwait in a powerful formation that expresses the alliance between the two countries. The United States appears as the leader of the victorious alliance returning home, while Kuwait is depicted as liberated, regaining its sovereignty and freedom as an independent state. He further described the memorial complex: In contrast, the Inscription Wall offers a clear contrast to the Storm Wall, featuring a more tranquil and serene atmosphere, centered around two interlocking wreaths representing Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

He noted that this wall reminds visitors of the sacrifices made by men and women who volunteered for military service thousands of miles away from their homelands. At the heart of the memorial lies the Unity Shield, which represents the coalition nations that supported the liberation of Kuwait. Surrounding this central area are green spaces featuring a fountain designed to evoke an “oasis” ambiance, providing a place for rest and quiet contemplation.