Desert Storm veterans march in Memorial Day parade

The National Desert Storm War Memorial Association (NDSWM), which is working to build an official monument in the nation's capital, is using any way it can to draw attention to the 25th anniversary of the war in 2016. The latest project is organizing a group of Desert Storm veterans to march together in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., on Monday, May 30.

According to NDSWM President/CEO Scott Stump, more than 300 veterans have already committed; the association would like at least 500 in the group. That group will also include representatives of coalition countries, war-era military vehicles, and former Secretary of State James Baker as grand marshal. A group rate has been negotiated with a hotel in nearby Arlington, Va.

Marchers must have served in theater during Desert Shield or Desert Storm; a mandatory meeting in Washington on May 29 will precede the May 30 parade. Anyone interested in being part of the group march should contact Jill Etter at Desertstorm25th@gmail.com.

The American Legion has a resolution supporting the memorial.