Salute to Service Reunion: Virginia War Memorial Opens Invitation Request
Richmond, VA (April 14,2025) – The Virginia War Memorial Foundation is pleased to announce that requests for invitations are now open for the inaugural Salute to Service Reunion Celebration, a multi-year program dedicated to reuniting Virginia veterans with their units and the American conflicts in which they served. The 2026 Reunion will kick off on March 21, 2026, commemorating the 35th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm.
This reunion will provide veterans with a unique opportunity to reconnect with their peers, reflect on their shared experiences, and honor the sacrifices they made in an environment of camaraderie and support. Veterans are invited to submit a request for invitation to participate in this meaningful event, where they will have the chance to celebrate their shared experiences and remember those who did not return, and reconnect with long-lost friends.
The 2026 Salute to Service Reunion Celebration will focus on:
Providing global context and the perspective of history to the events of Desert Shield and Desert Storm, including the stories and sacrifices of Virginia veterans. Increasing the public’s understanding of Desert Shield and Desert Storm by collecting oral histories, photographs, and artifacts from the veterans who served.
Sharing the Virginia War Memorial as a place for quiet reflection and community for veterans and their families. Emphasizing the values of teamwork, optimism, courage, and sacrifice that contributed to the decisive victory of Desert Storm. Honoring all Gulf War-era veterans in Virginia, nearly 259,000, by saluting them and their service on March 21, 2026. A highlight of the reunion will be the premiere of the new Virginians at War documentary, Decisive Victory: Operation Desert Storm. This powerful documentary, produced in partnership with Blue Ridge PBS, will feature interviews with Desert Storm veterans and their families. It will cover key events such as the invasion of Kuwait, Desert Shield, and Desert Storm, while also exploring the lasting impact on the American public. The documentary will also honor the lives of the seven Virginia service members who were killed in action, and whose names are enshrined on the Shrine of Memory at the Virginia War Memorial.
“The Salute to Service Reunion Celebration will be a day of celebration and remembrance on the majestic grounds of the Virginia War Memorial. This event will honor veterans and provide an opportunity to reunite with those who served alongside them. It is also a time to collectively remember the seven Virginians who were killed in Desert Storm and are memorialized on the Shrine of Memory,” said LTC Joseph C. Barto, III, USA (Ret.), Chair of the Salute to Service Program Committee. “For those who have never visited the Virginia War Memorial, this is a chance to experience the power of the Shrine—a quiet space for peaceful reflection and an emotional connection to those who, like so many, were willing to sacrifice everything in service to their country.”
The Reunion Celebration will feature speakers, moderated discussions, musical performances, documentaries, and a wreath-laying ceremony. The Virginia War Memorial, located at 621 South Belvidere Street in Richmond, offers veterans and their families a peaceful space for reflection and remembrance. Following the inaugural 2026 event, future reunions will focus on reuniting veterans from Vietnam, the Global War on Terrorism, and the Cold War.
Veterans wishing to attend the 2026 Salute to Service Reunion Celebration are encouraged to submit a request for an invitation. Requests can be made by contacting the Virginia War Memorial Foundation at info@vawarmemorial.org to be added to the mailing list or to request an invitation directly by visiting www.vawarmemorial.org/salutetoservice.
About the Virginia War Memorial Foundation The Virginia War Memorial Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides private support to the Virginia War Memorial, a state agency established in 1950. This remarkable public/private partnership has provided funds for the documentary films, educational programs, exhibitions, teacher institutes, and veterans outreach which have positioned the Virginia War Memorial to be among the leading state war memorials. The Virginia War Memorial Foundation’s mission is to support the Virginia War Memorial in its efforts to preserve the stories of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, to honor all veterans and active-duty military, and to inspire love of country through education. For more information, visit www.vawarmemorial.org.
