Abstract Memorial Design on National Mall Faces Republican Criticism

The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation revealed a mock-up on Thursday for an abstract crescent-shaped memorial on the National Mall. The design uses reclaimed war steel covered by living vegetation that arches over the earth in the form of an embrace, with a path of symbolic footprints and stone and steel relics from the 9/11 attacks at each entrance. Sen.

Jim Banks, who served in Afghanistan, called the proposal a disgrace. “Thousands of heroic Americans sacrificed everything in service to our nation during the Global War on Terror,” Banks said. “These were real people with real stories.

Sen. Mike Lee said the design is a disappointing landscape feature better suited to a hotel courtyard or mini golf course than a monument to the courageous men and women who fought and the lives lost to radical Islamic terrorism. Lee criticized the absence of nameplates for fallen service members and called for the project to restart with an entirely new design and team.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden called the design an abomination. He said there is bipartisan support to stop this proposed Jazz Hands monument to our fallen brothers and sisters, and that the foundation is officially on notice and will be held organizationally and personally accountable if it continues with the present design.

The memorial honors fallen service members from the global war on terrorism and is positioned on the National Mall to align directly with Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery. Japanese architect Kengo Kuma is the lead designer and will work with the memorial’s board of directors and the Design Advisory Council, which includes more than 20 Gold Star family members, active duty service members, and other stakeholders.

Elliot Ackerman, a Marine veteran and former CIA officer, and Jennifer Ballou, retired master sergeant and gold star spouse, serve as co-chairs of the council.