Desert Storm - Desert Shield Memorial
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 06.235 W 072° 37.296
18T E 696658 N 4664051
The West Springfield Rotary Club has placed a Desert Storm - Desert Shield Memorial on the North Common in West Springfield.
Waymark Code: WMCJGH
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 09/12/2011
Views: 2
A small but highly visible Persian Gulf War memorial has been placed by the West Springfield Rotary Club on the North Common in West Springfield. A plaque attached to a small rock sits in front of the town clock on the south end of the North Common on Elm Street, north of the junction with Park Street (Route 20). The memorial stands out from the clock because it is separated and framed by a row of hedges.
The invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi took place on August 2, 1990. This event prompted Operation Desert Shield, the precursor to Operation Desert Storm which began on January 17, 1991 with an aerial bombardment of Iraq and a ground assault on February 23, 1991. A cease fire was declared 100 hours later. This, then, would be one of the earliest monuments for this conflict having been placed less than four months after fighting on the ground ended.
The West Springfield Rotary is actively engaged in community service and development. Their motto is "Service Above Self".
Text of Plaque:
Desert Storm Desert Shield
Commemorative
Dedicated June 14, 1991
In Grateful Recognition
Of Those Who Served
{Rotary International Symbol}
By The West Springfield Rotary