Gulf War / Iraq War Memorial - Riverside Park - Independence, KS - Persian Gulf War Memorials on Waymarking.com

This Gulf War memorial is one of several in Riverside Park's Veterans Freedom Square. The monument is constructed of yellow brick and black marble, and bears the name of the war GULF WAR / IRAQ WAR and the years fought 1990-1991 and 2003-2011. The memorial provides information about the war, including the number of U.S. military deaths as well as those from the State of Kansas.

Veterans Freedom Square, constructed with private funds and maintained by the City of Independence, was dedicated on May 28, 2016. The Square contains memorials to all major wars and a number of additional monuments and memorials.

Text of Plaque: GULF WAR - Desert Storm / Desert Shield Iraq, led by dictator Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait in August 1990. President George H.W. Bush rallied the American people and Congress, as well as the United Nations, in support of a counterattack to force the Iraqis out. The United States led a large international coalition to defend Saudi Arabia from attack (Desert Shield) and eject Sadam (sic) Hussein's military from Kuwait (Desert Storm). Massive air strikes began Jan 17, 1991. In February, U.S. ground troops began an attack on Kuwait City, swiftly driving out the defending Iraqis in under a week. The U.S. decided not to press on to Baghdad or occupy any Iraqi territory, ending combat operations after 42 days - thus leaving Saddam Hussein in power. Operation Iraqi Freedom / Operation New Dawn After Saddam Hussein stalled weapons inspectors and defied multiple United Nations mandates, President George W. Bush authorized Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. Hussein's army and regime were quickly defeated and a democratic government installed in 2005. However, a bloody guerrilla war fought by Saddam loyalists and Shiite militias soon developed. The fighting dragged on for several years, characterised by suicide and roadside bombings. In 2007 the "Surge" of American troops and counterinsurgency tactis were credited with keeping a fragile Iraqi government from collapse. During the years following the "Surge," violence slowly subsided. In August 2010, the last U.S. combat brigade left Iraq and "Operation Iraqi Freedom" was renamed "Operation New Dawn." In December 2011 the remaining U.S. troops departed Iraq. Irqa's new leaders had come to power via free and open elections. Date of dedication: 5/28/2016 Placed by: Veterans Freedom Square Committee / City of Independence Type of Memorial: Gulf War Specific

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