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There are several memorials dedicated to the Afghanistan War, located in different countries. The Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial in London, UK, commemorates British citizens, including military personnel and civilians, who participated in the Gulf War, the Afghanistan War, and the Iraq War. In Irvine, California, the Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial is dedicated to American troops who died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The memorial lists the names of all US service men and women killed in the conflicts. In Kyiv, Ukraine, there is a memorial commemorating soldiers who died during the War in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989, following the Soviet invasion. Additionally, there are plans for a National Monument to Canada's Mission in Afghanistan, which will recognize the commitment and sacrifice of Canadians who served in the country.
What You'll Learn
The Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial in London
The memorial consists of two large Portland stone monoliths, weighing 33 tonnes, with the words "Afghanistan" and "Iraq" inscribed on one side, and "duty" and "service" on the other. One side of each stone is left rough to reference the rocky terrain of Afghanistan and Iraq. The stones support a thick bronze medallion, sculpted with reliefs that echo the memorial's theme of "duty and service", depicting members of the armed forces and civilian workers.
Unlike similar monuments, the memorial carries no names, instead commemorating all who served, not just those who died. It was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on 9 March 2017 and was attended by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Prime Minister Theresa May, and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.
The memorial honours the contribution of both the UK armed forces and civilians who served their country in the Gulf region, Iraq and Afghanistan, and those who supported them back home. It recognises the sacrifices made by thousands of British citizens who put themselves in harm's way and worked to protect the nation's interests and improve the lives of those in other countries.
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The National Monument to Canada's Mission in Afghanistan
The monument will also recognise the support provided by Canadians at home to those who served during the mission. It will be located at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa, across from the Canadian War Museum, on the east side of Booth Street, north of the National Holocaust Monument. The site will offer views of Parliament and other federal institutions, providing easy access and visibility for visitors.
The design, developed by Team Stimson, reflects a circular, sacred space of safety, a "home base" for reflection, memory, and contemplation. It consists of four portals, with an interior sanctuary honouring the fallen. Three of the quadrants feature inscriptions of the year, names of Canadian casualties, and maple leaves. The fourth southeast quadrant, facing Afghanistan, is dedicated to fallen Afghan allies. At the centre, four bronze flak jackets draped on crosses symbolise protection.
The monument's circular design draws on the Indigenous Medicine Wheel's healing elements, with each quadrant representing stories of Afghanistan from Canadian perspectives: the spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual aspects of war. The interior evokes the feeling of safety within an operating base, as experienced by artist Adrian Stimson during his time in Afghanistan.
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Afghanistan War Memorial in Kyiv, Ukraine
The Afghanistan 1979–1989 War Memorial in Kyiv, Ukraine, is a monument commemorating soldiers who died fighting in the war in Afghanistan after Soviet forces invaded the country in 1979. It is located halfway between the Pechersk Lavra and the Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II. The memorial was unveiled in 1994 and is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war, honouring the lives of those lost in the conflict.
The memorial is easy to locate along Lavrska Street and is well worth a visit if you are in the area. It features a statue of three troops, one kneeling in remembrance and two standing defiantly. The composition is well-thought-out and thought-provoking, with flowers often adorning the sculpture. It is a quiet place to sit and rest, reflecting on the history of the country and the USSR.
The Afghanistan War Memorial is ranked among the top attractions in Kyiv, with many visitors commenting on the emotional and moving nature of the memorial. It is a place where people can pay their respects to those who lost their lives in the Afghanistan conflict, which has been described as Russia's Vietnam.
The monument is also notable for its departure from the style of other Soviet-era memorials, likely due to its creation during or shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union. The Afghanistan conflict has been cited as a significant contributor to the fall of the Soviet Union.
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Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial in Irvine, California
The Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial in Irvine, California, is a memorial dedicated to American troops who died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is located at Northwood Community Park, on the corner of Yale and Bryan Avenues. The memorial was dedicated on November 14, 2010, and is the first permanent memorial in the country to honour all fallen American service members in the two wars.
The story of the Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial began with the local community. Shortly after the invasion of Iraq, as news emerged of soldiers' deaths, Irvine resident Asher Milgrom created a display in the park with thirty wooden posts bearing the names and photos of the fallen. Each year from 2003 through 2010, community members assembled to erect a temporary memorial, hold public ceremonies on Memorial Day, July 5, September 11, Veterans Day, and conduct nightly candlelight vigils throughout June and early July.
In 2006, a non-partisan group of Irvine residents began advocating for a permanent memorial near the site of the temporary memorial. After debate and conflict among city leaders and residents, the Irvine City Council unanimously approved the plan in late 2009. The city committed $150,000 to the $210,000 project, with the remaining funds covered by community donations.
The permanent memorial consists of five granite-covered pedestals bearing the names of the fallen soldiers, sailors, airmen, Coast Guard members, and Marines. At its dedication, the memorial displayed 5,714 names, and as of May 25, 2015, the number had grown to 6,829. The memorial includes plans for updates, with space for approximately 8,000 names. The Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial stands as a testament to the sacrifice of American service members and the dedication of the Irvine community in honouring their memory.
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Proposed 'Global War on Terrorism' memorial in Washington, D.C
The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation is an American non-profit organisation that was formed in 2015 to plan, fund, and build a memorial dedicated to the Global War on Terrorism. The foundation is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and is led by a board of directors, with Michael "Rod" Rodriguez serving as its president and CEO.
In its early years, the foundation lobbied the United States Congress to pass the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2017. This legislation authorised the establishment of a national war memorial on federal land in Washington, D.C. and entrusted the foundation with overseeing the memorial's fundraising, design, and construction. Notably, the act also exempted the memorial from the customary 10-year waiting period after the conclusion of the conflict.
The foundation then advocated for the passage of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act, which specifies that the memorial will be constructed within the Reserve area of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This act was passed by the House of Representatives in 2021 and later approved by the Senate and President Joe Biden in December of the same year.
The construction of the memorial is a complex process, involving numerous approvals and steps. As of May 2022, the foundation was working on steps 9-12, which include selecting the memorial's site within the National Mall. The final design for the memorial will be chosen through an arts competition, with the overriding theme expected to focus on honouring the service and sacrifice of troops and their families.
The Global War on Terrorism Memorial aims to commemorate and honour the members of the Armed Forces who served on active duty during the conflict. It will be a lasting tribute to all who served and sacrificed in this ongoing war on terrorism, providing a place of honour and healing for Americans to unite behind a shared gratitude for those protecting their freedoms.
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Frequently asked questions
The Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial in London is situated in Victoria Embankment Gardens, between the River Thames and the headquarters of the Ministry of Defence.
The Northwood Gratitude and Honor Memorial is a memorial in Irvine, California, honouring American troops who died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is located at Northwood Community Park, on the corner of Yale and Bryan.
The Afghanistan War Memorial in Kyiv, Ukraine, is located halfway between the Pechersk Lavra and the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War.
