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Global War on Terrorism Memorial Dedication

by Katie Reeder

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MAIN EVENT

Global War on Terrorism Memorial Dedication at the National Infantry Museum

11 a.m. Monday, October 16, 2017

  • Sequence of events
    • Joint color guard presents colors
    • National anthem (MCoE Band)
    • Colors posted
    • Opening prayer by Pastor Louie Giglio
    • Each service flag raised individually as band plays the branch’s song
    • Welcome by NIMF Chairman LTG (Ret) Tom Metz
    • Description of memorial, design, significance – MG Eric Wesley, MCoE Commanding General
    • Retired Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent introduces guest speaker
    • Remarks by GEN (Ret) John Abizaid
    • Possible remarks by GEN (Ret) Chuck Jacoby
    • Taps
    • Missing man fly-by (pending)
    • Closing prayer

ANCILLARY EVENTS

Fundraising dinner for invited guests

  • 6 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner, National Infantry Museum Courtyard
  • Remarks:
    • General John Abizaid, the GWOT commander who has spearheaded the memorial project
    • National Advisory Board Vice Chairman (and NBC Military Analyst) GEN Barry McCaffrey
    • Gold Star mother Debbie Tuttle and Gold Star brother Nick Loudon will share their personal perspective on the significance of the memorial
  • Held at sunset on the museum’s new outdoor Courtyard, adjacent to the new memorial.
  • Money raised will be used to create an endowment to fund ongoing maintenance plus the addition of names of recently fallen service members and an annual rededication of the memorial.

Breakfast for Gold Star Families

  • 9 a.m., National Infantry Museum Cavezza Hall
  • Gold Star families will get an early look at the memorial (on video) in a private setting prior to the dedication.
  • Patriot Guard holding large American flags will line the sidewalk leading to the museum.
  • Menu: buffet of eggs, bacon, potatoes, biscuits, gravy and fruit.
  • Brief remarks from:
    • Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey
    • Retired Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton Kent (not confirmed
  • Also invited: a select group of the museum’s supporters.
  • After breakfast, Gold Star Families will be escorted to reserved seating in front of the memorial.

MOTORCYCLE CONVOY

  • Patriot Guard (volunteers who escort military funerals) national president Rob Butler is organizing fellow Patriot Guard riders and all patriotic bikers from all biker organizations to ride from the Civic Center (400 4th Avenue) to the museum the morning of the event.
  • A select group of riders will escort four Gold Star Families–one from each branch of service–to the museum for the breakfast. The rest will follow.
  • Rob is estimating 1,000 bikers will take part. (Similar event in 2013 drew 1,200 bikers, but it was on a weekend.)
  • Patriot Guard members will line the walkway leading to the GWOT memorial as guests arrive.

TICKETS / PARKING

  • Event is free but tickets are required
  • General Admission tickets can be reserved at http://nationalinfantrymuseum.org/gwot-dedication/
  • Free General Admission parking (for off-post residents) is at the Civic Center, 400 4th Buses begin free transportation to the museum at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 10:30 a.m. Buses return to the Civic Center beginning at 11:30 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m.
  • No on-site parking except for those holding Gold Star, Honored Guest or Wheelchair tickets
  • Fort Benning residents with General Admission tickets can take a free bus from one of three pickup points on post. (Locations are known; times TBD)

SEATING / STADIUM

  • Special stadium seating is being erected in front of the memorial. There will be reserved seating for Gold Star, Honored Guest and Wheelchair ticket holders.
  • General Admission ticket holders will be directed to bleacher seating.
  • A raised media platform will be erected behind the bleachers.

MISCELLANEOUS

Museum, normally closed on Mondays, will open at noon on October 16 and remain open until 5 p.m.