Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial to open on Oct 24, 2026

Published Aug 3, 06:29 PM UTC

The National Desert Storm War Memorial Association announced that the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial will open to the public on October 24, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., 35 years after the U.S.-led coalition liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. The memorial, located at 23rd and Constitution Avenue, honors the 383 service members who died and all who served. Scott Stump, a Marine Corps Reserve veteran and association president, began the 16-year effort in 2010 after feeling the campaign was overlooked. The design evokes a sandstorm and the 'Left Hook' maneuver, using Brazilian stone resembling Kuwaiti barchan dunes. Features include a unity shield with Kuwait's national flower and names of 36 coalition nations. The site is expected to attract 5-6 million annual visitors.