HAVERSTRAW, NY – The Gulf War/War on Terror Monument was designed by a group of Veterans from each of these conflicts. The land where this Monument has been built was purposely designated by Rockland County so that it overlooks the 9/11 Memorial that is forever tied to all of these struggles.

The Monument itself is comprised of several sections:

Five concrete barriers known as T-Walls. T-Walls have been used in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect service members from indirect and direct fire. Mounted on these walls are granite plaques with the eight names of those service members who lost their lives in support of combat operations throughout the conflict areas.

The back wall shows a timeline of the conflicts carved in granite. The center of this wall is a Gold Star that represents all of the families who have lost loved ones during this period. In front of the Gold Star is a rifle facing downward with a helmet on top and combat boots at its base. This is the symbol all service members know as a memorial to a lost comrade in battle.

To the side of the wall is a statue of Megan Leavey, CPL (Ret.), USMC, and her military working dog Rex. This statue is purposely set back on overwatch of this sacred ground. The ground around the monument and between the walls is the color of desert sand. The T-walls are set with wider bases so that visitors to the site can sit and pay tribute to those who served. It is the hope of the committee who designed this Monument that this place will become a site for those who have served to come and reflect on their service, remember those they lost and find some closure to the horrors of war.

Eight names are currently listed on the Monument. SN Gilbert A. Fontaine and SSG Tatiana Dees who gave their lives in Desert Storm. CPL Manuel Lopez III, CPT Phillip Esposito, CPL Steve Vahaviolos and CPL Justin Rivero Garcia who gave their lives in Iraq. SGT Edward Bolen and MAJ Thomas E. Kennedy who gave their lives in Afghanistan. The monument was opened in November of 2018.