The National Infantry Museum’s new national memorial to the Global War on Terrorism honors all who have served and continue to serve since 911.
The memorial includes eight granite panels etched with the names of nearly 7,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who have died in service since 9/11. A 13-foot steel beam taken from the wreckage of the World Trade Center and donated to the museum by New York City firefighters sits atop concrete columns representing the Twin Towers. The memorial also features nine bronze figures representing an Infantry squad, illustrations of each service’s role in protecting our nation, and narrative panels chronicling the nation’s longest war.
The dedication event took place on October 16, 2017 and included remarks by GEN (Ret) John Abizaid, the longest-serving commander of United States Central Command. Abizaid and three other four-star generals who served as commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan – Stan McCrystal, George Casey and Chuck Jacoby – joined forces in 2015 to help design the memorial and raise the funds needed to build it. “The National Infantry Museum is the perfect place for this sacred memorial, and I am confident that the hundreds of thousands of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and family members who visit it will find it to be an emotional, inspirational and fitting tribute to their sacrifices,” Abizaid said.
Thousands of veterans, active duty military, Gold Star families, Patriot Guard Riders and members of the public attended the dedication event. Rededications of the memorial to include the names of service members who’ve recently given their lives in the fight will occur annually to honor their sacrifice. To learn more about the memorial, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.