the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation<\/a>. \u201cIt is dedicated to the 1 million wounded warriors who are reclaiming their lives back here at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re looking forward to building a sacred place of healing and remembrance for our GWOT veterans, a place for families to gather together to honor their loved ones, and for future generations of Americans to learn about a war they will likely grow up alongside of.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The House passed the memorial legislation last week. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the measure into law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., a Marine Corps officer who served in Iraq and sponsored the House bill, said last week he saw the measure as important not just for his fellow veterans, but for reminding the country about what his generation of service members sacrificed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hope we can find a way to capture the spirit of these wars, how unique they are,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re doing something that you hope will last forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, an Iraq War vet and a Senate sponsor of the effort, called Thursday\u2019s vote, \u201canother step closer toward honoring the brave men and women, and their loved ones, who have sacrificed so much in the defense of our nation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bill does not provide any money for the project, or specify any design plans. Instead, it authorizes Brennan\u2019s foundation to oversee fundraising and construction of the memorial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s a process that supporters say will likely take a decade, if not longer. Organizers say the work can begin in earnest once the president signs the measure into law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The planning will include negotiations with the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission to discuss a possible location on the National Mall for the memorial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n