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June 18, 2012

Bill starts process for memorial to honor vets of first Gulf War

Brian Boyce The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — Efforts to commemorate Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm move forward as Marine Corps veterans with local ties lead the charge.

Scott Stump was a lance corporal in 1991, an Indiana State University student serving in the reserves, stationed in the Persian Gulf amid what Americans now refer to as the first war in Iraq. Twenty-one years later, he lives in North Carolina and owns his own business. But the bonds forged with fellow warriors while overseas remain, and together with other vets, he’s working to establish a Gulf War memorial in Washington, D.C.

Friday afternoon, a victory toward that endeavor was announced as U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn.), introduced H.R. 5914, the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield War Memorial Act.

Stump said the process begun in January of 2011 has been long and complicated, as the grassroots organization seeks to establish a war memorial adjacent to the National Mall in Washington.

“We’re just really excited because of the progress we’ve made,” he said, explaining the 24-step process involved in getting permission to erect a monument on federal land.

Introduced just last week, Roe will be seeking co-sponsors for the bill as it heads to committee. No federal funds will be used to build the memorial, according to a statement released by Roe’s office. All funds will be raised privately by the National Desert Storm Memorial Association.

Stump said the group has secured status as a 501c3 organization and provides more detailed information on its website, www.nationaldesertstormwarmemorial.org, as well as on Facebook. Still in the early stages, exact costs remain unknown, but organizers expect the project to require between $10 million and $30 million. Proposed sites include an area adjacent to the National Mall near memorials for World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War, Stump said.

U.S. Rep. Larry Bucshon, who serves Indiana’s 8th Congressional District, stated in a media release Saturday his overall support for veterans’ causes, adding the bill was just introduced last week and he will consider co-sponsorship as it advances.

“I support honoring all veterans, including those from Desert Storm, who have proudly served our nation defending liberty and freedom here at home and around the world,” he stated via email.

Kent Shively also was a Marine Corps reservist called to duty when Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait. Along with Stump, he served in Golf Company 3rd Battalion 24th Marines, then based out of Danville, Ill., presently out of Terre Haute. That same unit, he remarked, has seen its share of action in recent years, from the more recent fighting in Iraq to Afghanistan.

“We’ve tried to keep them separate,” he said of the two different conflicts in Iraq. Veterans of the recent fighting deserve a memorial in their own right, considering the duration of that conflict and number of deployments served, he said.

According to statements issued by Roe’s office, the historical significance of the first Gulf War warrants attention. In 1990, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait and, in less than 24 hours, dominated nearly 30 percent of the world’s oil supply. Officials feared that Hussein would advance on Saudi Arabia and, recognizing that nation’s role in the region, President George H.W. Bush launched Operation Desert Shield. This move resulted in the deployment of American combat forces to Saudi Arabia, as well as a mandate to Hussein stating all Iraqi troops must be out of Kuwait by Jan. 15, 1991. With Kuwait still occupied after the deadline passed, the United States led coalition forces in the liberation of Kuwait, a mission known as Operation Desert Storm.

These operations resulted in the removal of all Iraqi forces from Kuwait, imposition of sanctions against Iraq and a significantly weakened Iraqi Army. Of the roughly 600,000 American troops who were deployed in both Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 293 died in theater, of which 148 were killed in action.

Shively, a 1985 graduate of Terre Haute North Vigo High School as well as Purdue University, served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1985 through 1991, and he recalled that his enlistment was actually set to end about the time the war kicked off. But there was no way his friends were going off to fight without him, and so he remained in service for the duration. Now the owner of Shannon Door Co. in Carmel, the Kokomo resident said he’s been impressed with the quality of people involved in the drive to establish a memorial, including former President George H.W. Bush and representatives of retired Gens. Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf.

Likewise, Stump said the support has been inspiring. Recalling his participation in this year’s Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., he said the government of Kuwait presented a float dedicated to Gulf War veterans. Afterward, as he identified himself as such to its participants, young citizens of Kuwait thanked him.

“If it weren’t for you guys, we’d be Iraqi right now,” he recalled them saying.

Stump said the group hopes to raise awareness of the issue, and encourages people to contact their congressmen and senators in support of the bill. Working legislation through Congress is no mean feat, he said.

“It’s been a real eye-opener,” he said, describing the work involved, even though tax dollars will not be used in the project.

This year, the Indiana Legislature passed a resolution of support for the project, and Stump said he hopes other states follow that lead.

“Our timeline is to have the memorial erected, up and dedicated some time in the year 2016,” he said, pointing out that would be in time for the operation’s 25th anniversary.



Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.

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