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Rep. Jason Crow Leads Bipartisan Sunrise Run on National Mall

November 20, 2019

Yesterday, Rep. Jason Crow (CO-06) along with his Republican colleague Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI-08) led a bipartisan sunrise run on the National Mall to raise awareness for the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Memorial. On the run, they scouted the potential sites identified for the GWOT memorial as well as ran past the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the World War II Memorial.

They were joined by a bipartisan group of members of Congress, all who served in the Global War on Terrorism, including: RepresentativesConor Lamb (D-PA), Michael Waltz (R-FL), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Van Taylor (R-TX), and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA). Other participants on the run included 13 families impacted by the Global War on Terrorism. They represent 2 Gold Star families, 3 military couples where both spouses are serving at the same time, 4 parents with children serving in uniform. Collectively the families have 259 years in uniform and 442 months deployed.

 

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Running in front of Lincoln Memorial

 

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Reflection Pool

 

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Running group photo

 

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Rep. Crow talking with running group

 

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Running around monuments in Washington, D.C.

Last week, Crow and Gallagher introduced the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Location Act, which would authorize the establishment of a GWOT memorial in the Reserve, which includes the National Mall. The run took them past the three sites proposed for the memorial in this bill: Constitution Gardens, West Potomac Park, and the JFK Hockey Fields.

"The Global War on Terrorism changed the course of American history and the lives of millions of services members, first responders, and civil servants - including my own. Those of us who have served and who have worked to help our fellow veterans understand the power of place. The transformational power of a sacred location where veterans and their families can come together to reflect, remember, and heal," said Rep. Crow. "The run was a chance for us to come together as members of Congress, but also veterans, and raise awareness about the bill. We have a sacred duty to honor those who have selflessly served in our nation's longest war and it is charge we do not take lightly."

"This morning we ran past monuments honoring some of the greatest individuals in our country's history, from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, to those who served in the wars of the 20th century," said Rep. Gallagher. "Just like the veterans of major wars before them, we must ensure those who served and continue to serve in the Global War on Terror are rightfully honored, and there's no place more fitting to do so than on the National Mall. I'm glad we were able to have such a strong bipartisan showing to examine proposed sites for the Global War on Terror Memorial and raise awareness about this important cause.

Crow, a freshman member of Congress, served with the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq where he received a Bronze Star for his leadership during the Battle of As Samawah and later two combat tours in Afghanistan with the 75th Ranger Regiment where he was tasked with fighting the Haqqani Network, an insurgent group on the Afghanistan - Pakistan border.

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