DE Assistant Politics Editor

In appreciation and in remembrance of veterans who served the United States in the Gulf War, some SIUC Kuwaiti students say they will present a plaque to University veterans Monday.

Masoud Abdul, a first year doctoral student in journalism from Kuwait, said SIUC students from Kuwait will present the plaque in celebration of the fifth anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait. The plaque will be presented at 11 a.m. in the Woody Hall Veteran’s Office.

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We are presenting the plaque in appreciation for the American support and liberation of Kuwait, Abdul said. We want to show appreciation because without the U.S., Kuwait would not have been liberated from Iraqi occupation.

Joe Gallaher, president of the SIUC Veterans Club and senior in aviation management from Quincy, said the presentation is worthwhile because many people may have forgotten about Operation Desert Storm, which took place in the early 1990s.

It’s been a long time since anyone has thought about the Gulf War, Gallaher said.

The Persian Gulf War began when the United Nations demanded that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein withdraw his forces from Kuwait. When Hussein did not comply with a deadline to withdraw his forces, U.S. troops were sent into Iraq on Jan. 16, 1991. U.S. troops began withdrawing on March 7, 1991.

Dana Wells, vice president of the SIUC Veterans Club who served in the Gulf War, said it was difficult to believe the war ended only five years ago.

I couldn’t believe how time flies, Wells, a sophomore in speech communications from Hillsboro, said. I’m glad they really appreciated it. I think we did a good thing by being there.

Gallaher said he thought that veterans will appreciate recognition for their service in the Gulf War.

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Most of them think it’s pretty cool because it’s something different, Gallaher said.

Abdul said along with the plaque presentation, the Kuwaiti students will also give books about Kuwait to Morris Library in appreciation of all Americans, whether they served in Desert Storm or not.