This week’s Borne the Battle episode features Marine Corps Veteran Scott Stump, who discussed how his military career prepared him for becoming President and CEO of the National Desert Storm Memorial Association.

Stump was intrigued with the idea of joining the military while in college, following in the footsteps of several family members who served before him. In the podcast above, he discusses serving in the Marine Corps Reserve, being activated for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, learning valuable lessons in the military, and transitioning into civilian life.

While on active duty, Stump was so dedicated to finishing his college degree that he would complete assignments from his own foxhole. He talked about how the air campaign’s effectiveness helped save the lives of many American soldiers prior to the 100-hour ground war, and recalled how Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield reshaped the relationship between the American public and those who served in its military.

Stump discussed how he got the idea for building the National Desert Storm War Memorial in 2010. He would soon begin devoting his time to lead the project and, in its 11th year, became the group’s CEO and president. Importantly, he discussed the process of honoring Desert Storm Veterans with a memorial and how his team got it approved and funded.

The memorial is set to break ground this year and will be near the Lincoln Memorial and Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. Stump explained that the goal of the memorial is to encourage visitors to educate themselves about the events of Desert Storm and Desert Shield, support the nearly 700,000 Desert Storm Veterans, and honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives in service to their country.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NATIONAL DESERT STORM AND DESERT SHIELD WAR MEMORIAL

Finally, Stump shared advice on how Veteran volunteers can become actively involved in the project, how larger Veteran Service Organizations have been major contributors in its funding, and how potential donors can have public recognition on site at the memorial.

Borne the Battle Veteran of the Week:

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Michaela Yesis is a podcast volunteer who recently graduated from George Mason University with a BA in English.

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10 Comments

  1. Mark Colindres January 26, 2021 at 16:53

    The story of “our” war is known to all who were there. Each of us knowing our own little piece of war. Re-lived day after day, night after night for the rest of our lives. The memorial is the validation all Desert Shield and Desert Storm Veterans long to see come to fruition. What Scott Stump and Jill Etter have done all of these years in fighting for this memorial is another example of the resolve many Veterans possess (post their service) so as to get the mission completed. We do not choose our wars but when a country called for help, we were there and got the mission done! I salute all of those who have worked so hard, for so long, to get us to where we are today in getting this memorial built. One day, in the not too distant of the future, we will all be present in Washington DC to see these pics unveiling of this tribute to those who were there and those never returned and to a people who were liberated from the tyranny that too often plagues this world.

    With all respect,

    Mark Colindres
    HHC 2/69 Armor (Scout Platoon)
    197th Inf Brigade
    AKA-3rd Brigade, 24th Inf Div

  2. Roger Hostetter January 24, 2021 at 16:58

    Hello fellow Gulf War Brothers and Sisters as well as other readers.
    Mr.Stump, and the National Desert Storm War Memorial Assn as well as an architect unveiled plans to several hundred Gulf War Veterans in Washington D.C. over the Memorial Day Weekend.
    At that time when it was unveiled it looked like a true Left Hook and the name of all of our fallen brothers and sisters from both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm would be on it.
    Fast forward to 2019. The land was officially award and they were still going back and forth with several commissions down there. I believe it was The National Parks Commission and The Arts Commission. Well I really dont know who caved or what took place. I do know for instance due to location no other memorials or monuments can hinder the line of sight to the Lincoln Memorial. Many of you many or many not know the Memorial was going to be tall, not overly tall as you see from pictures on the internet. So because of this they had to make a new design and during planning of the new design they decided to leave the names off because as it was then later told to us they didn’t want to offend the Vietnam Veterans. Mr.Stump has stated this memorial will be used to teach people about the Gulf War. Well, that’s fine but a story is being taught and missing 383 pieces of information.

  3. john colacchio January 22, 2021 at 17:36

    I was blown off by the VA for 28 years. I was sad when Trump left office. I’m still fighting to finish and get the much deserved benefits I need. I suffer from joint pain- depression and other numerous issues. Thank You President Trump for all you did for long forgotten Vets.

  4. Jimmy Baerncopf January 21, 2021 at 11:24

    I was on a 2 different ships during the whole thing. We first went over in August of 1990 with the CSSD-40. Then once it became Desert Storm, I was moved to another ship with people from my unit back at Lejeune. I injured my back while on ship but did not get anything to go in my records. I have been filing with the VA about it for years and they actually told me it was NOT service related !! I guess I was illegally on those ships that the Marines told me to get on. I wish I could get in touch with anyone that knew the doctors on the Trenton during that time. Without me having records that the navy should have kept, I cannot prove that I was hurt and that has been as far as I can get.

    [Editor: For VA purposes, “not service connected” doesn’t mean that VA believes it happened outside of service, it simply means that VA can’t link the injury/medical condition to your service/records, based on the available evidence.]

    • Michael January 26, 2021 at 00:23

      Contact your Senator for help or local VFW

  5. Jack L. Robertson Jr. January 21, 2021 at 09:09

    Awesome! I salute you for making this happen. I served in both campaigns and I think this would be a great honor. If you build it, we will come! A Company, 3/15 Infantry, 24th Infantry Division. First to fight! Victory!

  6. SFC Patricia M. Borromeo January 20, 2021 at 19:40

    Finally are own memorial. My Unit was 300th Field Hospital from Ashley,PA. Our main mission was to treat Iraqi EPW. The unit supported Easr EPW Camp. I was Wardmaster of 1st Surgical Ward. I recieved my first EPW wounded on 5 February 1991. I dearly miss my Unit members every day. The Unit put up 400 bed hospital in 4and half days. DEPMED. During break time we had put up are own living quarters. Field Sanitation soldiers and my tent mates help each other put our GPL tents. Unit had great number of very dedicated soldiers. Because of several “Fillers” complained to their congressmen we lost our Unit Cititation for doing excellent job. According to E 7 from those soldiers home unit, these individuals were always causing problems. Do unfair that 300th Field Hospital members who were so dedicated had to Loose this award.

    • Tanner Iskra January 21, 2021 at 09:25

      I am sorry to hear that. Hopefully, this memorial will help provide a sense of identification and recognition for all the good deeds in helping free the Kuwaiti people.

  7. Annie F. Robinson January 20, 2021 at 19:33

    This is great! I was in Desert Storm/Desert Shield. Will there be a wall of names?

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