Marine veteran Elliot Ackerman discusses his service, how GWOT veterans will shape the design of their memorial and more in this episode of the “Welcome Home” podcast series.
The design concept for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be inclusive, representative of all those involved and convey their experiences. Who better to help guide that critical process than a veteran who is also a storyteller?
Marine Corps veteran Elliot Ackerman, the co-chairman of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation’s Design Advisory Council, is also an author of a half-dozen books. Among them is “The Fifth Act: America’s End in Afghanistan.”
Ackerman talks about his military experience, vision for the memorial and more in the third episode of the foundation’s six-part special podcast series, “Welcome Home,” produced by The American Legion. The series is hosted by Army veteran Jennifer Ballou.
In his role, he focuses on helping to collect the voices that will be used to represent all those who served, sacrificed and contributed to the Global War on Terrorism.
“This memorial is a collection of viewpoints, voices and perspectives,” said Ackerman, a combat veteran who did five tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, and received the Silver Star. “It’s only going to be as good, as inclusive, as it is. We don’t want to miss anyone. We don’t want to miss any type of perspective that adds to the value of what this place is going to be.”
The goal is for all visitors to feel represented by the memorial.
“Memorials tell a story,” he explained. “They are places where we go to find meaning. And everyone’s meaning is going to be a bit different. A memorial will say something in the way that it is constructed, the way it looks. It’s trying to take the design and the process of including people and trying to take all those voices and put them into one coherent statement. It’s a physical statement, an artistic statement.”
Ackerman, who became a CIA officer after his military service, led Marines in the Battle of Fallujah and served as a special operator and intelligence officer, understanding the deep and often unseen sacrifices made by servicemembers, intelligence professionals and military families. His experiences are driving his commitment to ensuring the memorial becomes a place of meaning, reflection and healing.
“You come home in stages,” he said. “You never know when those moments are going to be when you are finally home. And ultimately, we bring each other home.”
Looking ahead to dedication day, Ackerman has a vision.
“People are going to walk down Constitution Avenue, or across the Mall, and they are going to want to see it,” he said. “My hope is that everyone sees themselves in some part of the memorial.”
Each episode is available at legion.org/tangoalphalima, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other major podcast-hosting sites.
- Tango Alpha Lima