US unveils Kuwait liberation memorial

WASHINGTON, Oct 25: Minister of Defense Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al- Salem Al-Sabah attended the inauguration of the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial in Washington, in the presence of Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States, Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah.

The Ministry of Defense’s Moral Guidance Directorate said in a statement on Sunday that Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali viewed the memorial’s historical significance, which commemorates the sacrifices of US-led international coalition forces and their role in liberating Kuwait in 1991. The statement added that the minister paid tribute to the participating forces’ sacrifices and heroism, noting that the memorial represents a historic legacy of solidarity and cooperation. He stressed the importance of preserving this historical memory and passing it on to future generations. The memorial also reflects the deeprooted historical relations and close ties between Kuwait and the United States. The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial embodies an “exceptional chapter” in modern military history and commemorates the sacrifices of troops from more than 30 countries who liberated the State of Kuwait in 1991, a prominent US military veteran said

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Memorial at the National Mall in the heart of Washington on Saturday night, Scott Stump, CEO of the National Desert Storm Memorial Association, stressed the importance of passing the lessons of this experience on to future generations. Stump - a US Marine Corps Reserve veteran of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, praised the generous support provided by the State of Kuwait and the Kuwait Banking Association to complete the important memorial. This memorial will tell future generations the story of an international coalition of more than 30 countries from five continents, with diverse religions and backgrounds, that came together and made sacrifices to achieve freedom, he pointed. The fact that an estimated five to six million people will visit the memorial annually means that “this story will remain alive and endure long after we are all gone.

The lessons will remain present as a living and vibrant classroom for future generations. The memorial will stand as long as Washington, DC exists, he noted. On his part, former Congressman and US Army veteran Dr. Phil Roe said that what Stump had built goes beyond being just a memorial; it is a tribute to a coalition of nations that stood united in 1990 and 1991 to restore Kuwait’s freedom. The memorial is particularly fitting that our friends from Kuwait are with us today, as this memorial tells their story as much as it tells ours. It is a lasting international tribute to everyone who served and to those who sacrificed their lives during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Dr. Roe noted, On a similar note, Kuwait Ambassador to Washington Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah said the liberation of Kuwait in 1991 represented a historic model of international solidarity and collective action in defense of sovereignty and freedom. She praised the strategic partnership and deep-rooted friendship between Kuwait and the United States.

There are moments in history that change the destinies of nations and remind us at the same time of what can be achieved when the international community stands united, Al-Zain Al- Sabah said. She added that US leadership of the international coalition constituted an unprecedented call to action that resonated across continents and brought nations together in an exceptional model of unity, determination and common purpose. “We are honored today to have among us ambassadors and representatives of many countries of that coalition. Your presence is a valuable reminder that the liberation of Kuwait was a shared achievement and that the bonds forged during that historic moment remain strong to this day,” she went on. Praising the completion of the Memorial, she said, “We are thereby giving this great history a permanent place,” a vision realized through the tireless dedication of visionaries, builders, legislators, artists and craftsmen. She stressed that the memorial carries profound significance for the Kuwaiti people, honoring the courage of those who served and the sacrifices made in defense of freedom, as well as the enduring friendship born from that extraordinary moment in their shared history. “To all those who answered the call of duty: you will always remain present in Kuwait’s national memory and in our hearts, and we will never forget you,” Al-Zain Al-Sabah told the audience. More than 35 years after Kuwait liberation, she said, despite changes in the world, the principles that united the coalition countries remain as important today as they were then: sovereignty, international law, territorial integrity and the firm belief that collective action based on shared principles can change the course of history. (KUNA)