Middle East Veterans Memorial

Middle East Veterans Memorial. . , The centerpiece of this memorial, a beautiful obelisk atop a structure of military sandbags, was built by the 512th Maintenance Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, and retired Chief Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Michael Bellerose. The obelisk is made from aircraft steel and houses more than 7,130 dog tags, each dog tag has the name, rank, service, date, and location where our veterans have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend freedom in the Middle East. These veterans served in operations as far back as April 24, 1980, in Operation Eagle Claw. Since that time, they have served in the Persian Gulf War, Desert Shield, and Desert Storm. They have been a part of the overseas contingency operations, formerly known as the Global War on Terrorism, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Freedom's Sentinel. They will continue to serve in future operations around the world. Every May, during Military Appreciation Month, a ceremony will be held to honor and recognize every veteran who has fallen while deployed to the Middle East during the preceding year. Their dog tags will be added to the memorial to remind everyone of the sacrifices our men and women make every day defending freedom. , Surrounding the memorial are bricks in honor of all veterans and their families. As every veteran knows, the member isn't the only one who sacrifices to defend freedom. The whole family serves and the whole family sacrifices. , "We are forever indebted to those who have given their lives that we might be free." , Ronald Reagan