A day of celebration to unite Virginia veterans and a tribute to all who have served in Operation Desert Storm.

Salute to Service

March 21, 2026 | Virginia War Memorial

 A day of celebration to unite Virginia veterans and a tribute to all who have served in Operation Desert Storm.

ABOUT
Salute to Service

The Virginia War Memorial Foundation is proud to announce the Salute to Service Reunion Celebration program.

Salute to Service is a multi-year program dedicated to providing a venue and program reuniting Virginia veterans with their units and the American conflicts in which they served. The inaugural program will be on March 21, 2026, to commemorate 35 years since Operation Desert Storm.

 

 

Salute to Service will provide veterans and their families with a day of celebration and remembrance of a major conflict, all while fostering an atmosphere of peer support, camaraderie, and historical reflection.

The program will consist of speakers, moderated discussions, musical performances, and documentaries, providing rich context and a broad perspective of what Virginia veterans experienced in their campaigns and the people with whom they served. A wreath-laying ceremony and free time on the Virginia War Memorial’s grounds, located at 621 South Belvidere Street in Richmond, Virginia, will also allow veterans to remember and honor those who did not return. The shared history of veterans, and the public’s understanding of it, will be enhanced through individual oral histories, photographs, and artifacts.

 

 

 

 

Our next Virginians at War documentary, Decisive Victory: Operation Desert Storm, will feature interviews with Desert Storm veterans and their families, and will discuss the invasion of Kuwait, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and the lasting impact on the American public. The names and lives of the seven Virginia service members who were killed in action will be featured prominently.  This trailer contains scenes and themes that may be distressing or triggering to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised. 

Get a first look at Decisive Victory: Operation Desert Storm with this compelling trailer: https://vimeo.com/1123789321

Register

The Virginia War Memorial Foundation and the Virginia War Memorial invite Virginia veterans, their immediate family members, and those who directly supported the Operation Desert Storm conflict to join us on March 21, 2026. 

If you have already submitted a Request for Invitation, you will receive instructions via the email you provided.

Priority Registration is now open for Virginia Veterans of Operation Desert Shield and and Operation Desert Storm, as well as those who directly supported these conflicts. On Monday, February 17, 2026, registration will open for Veteran Supporters, Military Members, and Virginia War Memorial Foundation Friends, allowing us to prioritize the participation and engagement of Virginia Veterans of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

We look forward to honoring your service and the sacrifices made by Virginia’s veterans and their families.

ABOUT THE
Virginia War Memorial

Through the stories of those who served, the nation’s leading state War Memorial honors Virginia’s fallen and preserves the past. The mission is at the heart of the Virginia War Memorial: to preserve the stoires of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, to honor all veterans and active-duty military, and to inspire love of country through education.  In the process of helping veterans find their voice and collecting and telling their stories, the Memorial also educates and inspires for the future.

During your visit, take a moving, reflective walk through the heart of the Memorial: the Shrine of Memory.

Engage directly with history through veteran-led tours, educational programs for all ages, as well as artifacts, photographs, films, oral histories, and the arts. These experiences are designed to foster understanding, connection, and a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices made by those who served.

SPONSOR SALUTE TO SERVICE

We invite you to join us in honoring the veterans who served together, offering them a chance to find connection and camaraderie at the Virginia War Memorial.  A wreath-laying ceremony and free time on the Memorial’s grounds will allow veterans to remember and honor those who did not return.

With your support, we can realize our vision that a global audience will recognize the valor and sacrifice of Virginia’s military veterans in the pursuit of liberty, democracy, justice, and peace for all. Our Operation Desert Storm Veterans deserve nothing less.