Global War on Terrorism and Desert Storm Veterans Appreciation Day
October 7th, 2023 has been proclaimed "Global War on Terrorism and Desert Storm Veterans Appreciation Day"!
Operation Desert Storm began January 17, 1991, after Saddam Hussein and Iraqi forces invaded neighboring Kuwait and refused to withdraw. The conflict is now commonly known as the Gulf War. From start to finish, Desert Storm only lasted 43 days, from January 17 to February 28, 1991. In fact, the land campaign is infamously known as the "100-hour ground war".
The Global War on Terrorism kicked off after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The initial invasion of Afghanistan began October 7, 2001, and was dedicated to pushing back the Taliban and Al-Qaeda terrorist organizations. In March 2003, the air and ground invasion of Iraq commenced. The invasion was in response to Iraq harboring Al-Qaeda terrorists as well as military intelligence believing the existence of Iraq having weapons of mass destruction. On December 13, 2003, Saddam Hussein was Captured and would be tried and executed for countless crimes against humanity. On May 2, 2011, Osama Bin Laden was killed by US Forces in a Special Operations Compound Raid. The war on terror continued and the United States encountered a new threat to freedom known as ISIS. The Global War on Terror lasted twenty years until the final pull out of Afghanistan in 2021.
Between Operation Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism, millions of American service members have deployed around the world defending freedom. Over 7,300 American service members died in combat operations, over 50,000 were wounded, and over 31,000 have committed suicide. By establishing October 3, 2023, as “Global War on Terrorism and Desert Storm Veterans Appreciation Day” in Shasta County, we are honoring those who have served and given their lives in protecting the freedom of this great nation. Additionally, it honors those who have suffered the visible and invisible wounds of war, and bonds our community by stating aloud, that these veterans are appreciated, and that they are not alone.
This proclamation has been presented to Sergeant First Class Matthew James Hart and the Redding Army Recruiting Company.
