National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial opens Saturday

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - A new monument on the National Mall honors those who served in the first Gulf War.

The National Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial officially opened after more than four years of construction.

The memorial honors those who served while educating visitors about the conflict and the 34-country coalition that participated in the war defending Kuwait.

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum spoke at the opening.

“We left our homes and our families and traveled thousands of miles and fought in strange places because it became our duty,” Burgum said. “We reflect on that powerful and effective coalition. And today, as a country and a world, we pray for a similar rallying together for freedom.”

The monument was constructed using materials reflecting the environment and battle conditions in the Gulf.

It is located just north of the Lincoln Memorial.