Senate Republicans Urge Redesign of Global War on Terrorism Memorial
On Monday, Senate Republicans reached out to President Donald Trump, expressing concerns over the current design for the proposed Global War on Terrorism Memorial. They feel that it doesn’t adequately honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.
Sens. Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), and Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to the president highlighting their discontent with the proposed memorial in Washington, D.C.
In their message, they stated that the design “falls far short of our duty to ensure that our nation’s finest people, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, are respected and properly honored.”
According to them, “The men and women who answered the call after the September 11, 2001, attacks and served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and other theaters of war deserve a monument that truly honors their courage and sacrifice during our nation’s longest war.”
They also shared the views of many Gold Star families and veterans who feel that the abstract nature of the current proposal fails to represent their loss and commitment. The Senate Republicans emphasized that a strong nation reflects how it treats its protectors. They believe this generation deserves a recognizable tribute to military service and a fitting memorial honoring those who volunteered to protect the country amidst the global war on terrorism.
As plans for the memorial’s construction are set for 2027, the senators concluded their letter by urging the president to support a redesign that incorporates feedback from Gold Star families and veterans, aiming to better commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of this generation.
Senators Banks, Cotton, and Sheehy aren’t alone in their criticism. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) described the proposal as “a sad landscape more suited to a hotel courtyard or a mini-golf course than a monument to the brave men and women who fought against Islamic terrorism and the lives lost.” Meanwhile, Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.), who is a retired Navy SEAL, labeled the proposal as “abhorrent” and referred to it as “a jazz hands memorial to our fallen brothers and sisters.”
