On Memorial Day 2018, VAU completed our 1st traveling Global War on Terror (GWOT) Memorial Flag. It is our way of honoring over 7000 GWOT fallen heroes and gold star families. We hope to raise awareness of the sacrifice paid by our nations heroes that keep this country free and flying under one flag.
We completed a 2nd memorial flag in August of 2022. It is stationed in the St Louis area and travels to central and western locations of the US.
This 28 foot wide by 6 foot tall American flag symbolizes the shape of the flag when draped on a fallen service members casket. It is formed of over 7000 dog tags of all those who have fallen in the War on Terror. There are 50 gold stars honoring all gold star families nationwide. Displayed in front of the flag is a battlefield cross sculpted from mahogany wood by veteran artist Alicia Dietz. Since 2018 these two memorials have traveled to over 200 locations nationwide.
Tags are in alphabetical order ranging from 11SEPT 2001 to 31 Dec 2017; thereafter the tags are in chronological order of the date Killed in Action (KIA). Sadly, as the war continues we will continue to fill in the blank tags at the end of the flag.
DoD's list of names used for this memorial
Memorial travel video
THE
MEMORIAL
This memorial travels to special locations nationwide where it is open to the public, providing community reflection of their service and sacrifice. When it's not on the road it is displayed at our veterans retreat in Richmond, VA. At this location it can also be seen from the nature center Rockwood Park trail. We accept visitation requests via email for small groups.
This Memorial was internally funded through VAU veterans, built by veteran/active duty volunteers and caring professionals. Generous in kind material donations, pro bono work and discounted prices were provided by many within the community. We are thankful for all our benefactors of the memorial.
WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!
If interested in being apart of our memorial travel committee please fill out a volunteer application and we will contact you with details.
All proceeds from the memorials travel goes directly to gold star family organizations and the GWOT Memorial Foundations mission to build a National Memorial in Washington DC.
HOST THE MEMORIAL
Please read and fill out the host application form. Email the form back to us along with any questions. We look forward to working with you to honor our fallen heroes.
Email: info@vetsau.org
2026 Fallen Heroes Memorial Travel Schedule
EASTern memorial
14 March: South Richmond Rotary Event - ACCA Temple, Richmond, VA
15-20 March: Monument Terrace - Lynchburg, VA
28 March: VFW Post 637 Memorial event Hopewell, VA
10-12 April: Coast Guard Marathon - Elizabeth City, NC
24-26 April: Warriors Week - Virginia Beach, VA
1-20 May: Airborne Special Operations Museum- Fayetteville, NC
20 May : ASOM Gold Star Family Event - Fayetteville, NC
23-25 May : Lincoln Monument Memorial Day Weekend - Washington, D.C.
6 June: Legacy Ruck Event, Virginia War Memorial - Richmond, VA
(Pending) 15 June-17 July: Marine Corps Museum - Quantico, VA
18-19 July: Memorial Event South Yarmouth, MA
28-30 July: Memorial Event Weymouth, MA
4-12 August: Patriot Park Memorial Event, Stoystown, PA
9-13 Sept: American Legion Post 357 Memorial Event, Holstead, PA
24-27 Sept: Tunnel to Towers 5k, NYC
(Pending) 6 Oct: Huguenot Trail Rotary Event - North Chesterfield, VA
(Pending)20 October: Memorial Event - Williamsburg, VA
8 Nov: Memorial Event - 312 W 3rd St. Farmville, VA
10-14 Nov: Memorial Event, Victoria, TX
(Pending)14 December - Army/Navy Football Game - Washington, D.C.
Western
memorial
(Pending) 20 May: Ameriprise Financial Memorial Event - Springfield, MO
(Pending) 22-26 May: USAA Memorial Event - Phoenix, AZ
(Pending) 28-30 May: Memorial Event Commerce City, CO
(Pending) 4-6 June: Memorial Event, Warsaw, IN
(Pending) 26 June: Ameriprise Financial Memorial Event - Leawood, KS
3 July: Freedomfest Memorial Event, Hendersonville, TN
30-31 July: Tunnel to Towers Event, Waterloo, IL
8 Aug: Honor and Remember Run - Huntingburg, IN
24-27 August: Mid American Veterans Museum, Preble County, OH
(Pending) 19-20 Sep: Francesville Fall Festival - Francesville, IN
(Pending) 11 November : American Legion Post 75 Memorial event - Geneva, IL
(Pending) 12 -13 Nov: Marshall Memorial Event - Marshall, Il
