Military and veterans groups rally in support of legislation to authorize construction of a memorial on the National Mall
WASHINGTON – The Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO (UVC), was recently among seven leading military and veterans service organizations to speak in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial Foundation. The UVC voices their support alongside six other veteran organizations during a congressional briefing in support of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act (HR 5046).
The UVC fully supports the creation of a memorial on the National Mall HR 5046 (Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act) is the bill that will make this a reality. Introduced in November 2019 by Representatives Jason Crow (D-CO) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI), the bill would authorize the construction of a lasting tribute to the service and sacrifice of all who have served in our nation’s longest war, located within the Reserve on the National Mall.
“We represent hundreds of thousands of GWOT veterans, spouses, and parents who have earned a place on our National Mall to honor, heal, empower and unite,” said Will Attig, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council and Ambassador to the GWOT Memorial Foundation. “That is why I am in this fight and why I am calling our members, veterans, and fellow Americans to do whatever you can to advocate for this bill.”
Will Attig-Executive Director UVC
Since September 11, 2001, nearly seven thousand service members have lost their lives in the Global War on Terrorism, and 52,802 have been wounded. Some 3,410 civilian government contractors have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq, and 38,953 have sustained work-related injuries. The GWOT Memorial Foundation believes that both service members and civilians who have served in this war, their families, and the American people deserve a fitting memorial where our country can learn about, reflect on and honor their endurance and sacrifice.
Mike "Rod"Rodriguez
“We are honored and humbled by the enthusiastic support that these multiple veteran and military service organizations have shown for the initiative to place this memorial within the Reserve on the National Mall,” said Michael “Rod” Rodriguez, president and CEO of the GWOT Memorial Foundation. “We believe that through their selfless service, the all-volunteer armed forces and civilians who defend our nation have earned the right to be recognized with a memorial alongside our nation’s other significant war memorials.
Military and veterans service organizations on hand in support of HR 5046 include the following:
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
National Military Family Association
Student Veterans of America
Team Rubicon
Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO
We are also reaching out to other allied organizations and partners, asking for their vocal support of the Location Act along with relay information with their members and communities.
The UVC has been a partner and ally to the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation since day one. Federal law has entrusted this foundation to oversee the fundraising, design, site selection, and construction of a memorial on federal land in Washington, D.C. In 2019 Unions Vets Executive Director Will Attig was selected to become a volunteer member of the GWOT Foundation Team as a national Ambassador helping spread the word and build support for the memorial.
Starting this week, the UVC will begin to gather grassroots support on behalf of the GWOT Memorial Act. “As Vets, we know how to get things done, and we are ready to take on this mission,” said Craig Romanovich (UWUA) leader of the Allegheny/Fayette chapter of the UVC “we are excited to mobilize our local veterans around this issue.” Be on the lookout in the following days and weeks for ways you can support the GWOT Memorial Act through the Union Veterans Council.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact William Attig at [email protected].
