Bismarck Veteran Reflects on New Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial

A new national memorial in Washington, D.C., has provided a long-awaited space for those who served during the Persian Gulf War to gather and remember.

The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial opened last month, marking a permanent tribute to the service members involved in the conflict.

Dr. Kathy Perkerewicz, a Bismarck-based physician and veteran, traveled to the capital to attend the dedication ceremony, KFYR reported. She was among thousands of veterans and supporters who gathered to witness the unveiling of the monument.

For many, the ceremony was more than a formal event; it was a deeply personal reunion. Perkerewicz, who served with the 311th evacuation hospital in the United Arab Emirates, attended the dedication alongside her friend Marci Ketterling, who also served during Desert Storm.

The Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial Dedication Ceremony

The emotional weight of the memorial is tied to the specific uncertainties of the era. Perkerewicz described the experience of being at the dedication as emotional, noting that it triggered memories of the deployment.

“It brought back memories of leaving and not knowing if you were going to be safe, if you were going to return home,” Perkerewicz said.

Perkerewicz’s military career began at age 17 when she joined the Army Reserves. Her decision was driven by a mix of personal necessity and a long-standing family tradition of service. Her father served in the Korean War, and her mother had several brothers who served in World War II.

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While she spent 21 years in the Reserves, her 89 days of activation during Desert Storm changed her life most profoundly. She credited that period with shaping her leadership skills, her sense of responsibility, and her ability to care for others.

The dedication served as a rare opportunity for veterans to reconnect with those they served alongside decades ago. Perkerewicz noted that the event allowed her to see old friends, including one soldier who had been activated with their unit from St. Louis.

On Saturday, the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial opens in Washington, D. C., honoring the courage and sacrifice of American servicemembers who answered the call to defend freedom and helped liberate Kuwait. Their service will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/j5miB7VOPp

— Post by @Interior on X

Beyond the specific Desert Shield and Desert Storm tribute, the trip included visits to other sites of historical importance. Perkerewicz highlighted the Military Women’s Memorial as a key stop during her visit.

For the veterans in attendance, the monument serves as a permanent record of a chapter of history that shaped their lives and the lives of those they served with.

Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial opens in Washington, DC

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Over the weekend, the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial opened in Washington, D. C., honoring the courage and sacrifice of American service members who answered the call to defend freedom and helped liberate Kuwait. “Their service will be remembered with the gratitude and… pic.twitter.com/Zx3RO89vIM”

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