For the past five years, I have served as co-chairman of the effort to build a 
memorial honoring veterans from the Persian Gulf conflicts. These men and women volunteered for duty in the Persian Gulf beginning with Operation Desert Storm in 1991, as well as the subsequent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
I was honored to participate last weekend in the dedication of this memorial. The 6,400-pound granite monument is located on Pennsylvania Avenue north of the Historic Courthouse. It was an extraordinary honor to work on this effort, and I would like to thank all who were involved, particularly Michael and Chris Lawlor.
The men and women who sacrifice for our country deserve our eternal gratitude for the selflessness with which they serve.