Washington unveils 'Desert Shield and Desert Storm' monument with Kuwaiti support - Sarmad

US 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 establishing the memorial to Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in the heart of the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., honoring the sacrifices of US and coalition forces in the 1991 war to liberate Kuwait.

Speaking at the official unveiling ceremony of the memorial at the National Mall in Washington, attended by Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Al-Salim Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Ambassador to Washington Sheikhah Al-Zain Al-Sabah, and a large gathering of officials and diplomats from numerous countries, Burgum 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 today, and especially to the State of Kuwait. Thank you very much to your country for the immense support in building this monument, 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 Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in our nation’s capital and on the grounds of our national memorial.”

He continued, “Today 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, to liberate the people of Kuwait, and to support our friends and allies in the region.”

He highlighted the significance of the memorial’s location in the seating area extending from the Lincoln Memorial, one of the most famous and visited memorials in the world, attracting approximately 40 million visitors annually.

Burgum said, “Memorials, like the one we dedicate today, are a tangible embodiment of our pride and gratitude for everyone who served their country and for all who gave the greatest sacrifices and dedication. This memorial has now become a national legacy and a trust upon all of us.”

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

He continued, “Our responsibility begins today; it does not end with the current dedication ceremony but continues through our commitment to maintaining this memorial, 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 behind the memorial, stating, “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 sands.

The emblem of two birds of prey 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 are depicted soaring toward the dawn of a new day.”

For his part, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in a speech delivered on his behalf by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby during the ceremony, affirmed 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 our fighters a pledge to 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 the (Desert Storm) operation was a model of this principle, and that this memorial will bear witness to it; indeed, he said he will likely be able to see it from his office at the Pentagon, serving as a constant personal reminder of this principle.

He noted that the (Desert Shield) and (Desert Storm) operations 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 seized the initiative, restored Kuwait’s sovereignty and freedom, and dealt a decisive blow 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 that the victory in the (Desert Shield) and (Desert Storm) operations embodies 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 regarded this lesson as extending beyond the pages of history, stating that peace and stability in the Gulf region, the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and even in our immediate neighborhood can only be safeguarded through strength, affirming that this is the essence of US President Donald Trump’s approach of “achieving peace through strength.”

He added, “Today, we honor this partnership and say to all 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 ensures 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 a large gathering attended by numerous US 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 included honors for veterans who participated in the (Desert Storm) and (Desert Shield) operations, as well as for the families of soldiers who were killed in these campaigns. It also featured a Kuwaiti song about freedom, expressing Kuwait’s gratitude and appreciation for the United States’ support during the liberation war.

The memorial is located at the intersection of 23rd Street and Constitution Avenue in a highly significant location in the US capital, symbolically representing a convergence point between the symbolism of Constitution Avenue and the diplomacy represented by 23rd Street (home to the US Department of State).

Constitution Avenue symbolizes the founding charter of the United States and forms a direct, symbolic bridge connecting the core institutions of the US government with national memorials such as the Abraham Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

It extends from the U.S. Capitol building toward the Lincoln Memorial and the West End, forming a physical and symbolic link between the nation’s legislative heart and its foundational monuments and presidential memorials. Lining both sides of the street are massive federal buildings, most notably the National Archives Building, which houses the “Charters of Freedom” (the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights).