The Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation on Wednesday unveiled the initial design concept for a permanent memorial on the National Mall honoring Americans who served in the wars that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The proposed memorial, to be located along Constitution Avenue near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial, was designed by internationally acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and his firm, Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Foundation officials said the design was informed by input from more than 20,000 Americans gathered through a nationwide outreach effort launched in 2018, as well as guidance from a 23-member Design Advisory Council made up of Gold Star family members, veterans, military families and service members.
"This design was shaped by history and held sacred from the beginning, forged by sacrifice and informed by the voices of warriors and their families," said Michael "Rod" Rodriguez, president and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation and a retired U.S. Army Green Beret.
The memorial's design features steel and stone relics recovered from the sites of the Sept. 11 attacks at each of its three entrances.
A central amphitheater will be topped by an arch known as "the embrace," constructed from reclaimed steel from Global War on Terrorism combat operations and covered in native vegetation.
The memorial is aligned with Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, where many service members killed in the conflicts are buried.
A marble "path of honor" embedded with footprints symbolizing the burden of war will connect the site to surrounding National Mall landmarks.
Reflecting pools will create an interactive experience, allowing visitors’ footprints to briefly appear alongside those representing service members.
"This Memorial is not an abstract commission for our team; it is a sacred responsibility," Kuma said. "Our role was not to impose a design, but to listen."
The foundation said the memorial will honor the millions who served in global counterterrorism operations, recognize the fallen and Gold Star families, and acknowledge the lasting physical and emotional impacts of war.
Congress designated the nonprofit Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation to plan, fund and build the memorial.
The project is being financed entirely through private donations.