This weekend will mark the 30th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, the United States led attack on Bagdad and Iraqi forces.  In January 1991, members from all five military branches joined a coalition to push out Saddam Hussein’s forces from Kuwait for Operation Desert Storm.  It meant the U.S. was at war for the first time since Vietnam.

In the early morning hours of January 17, 1991. Aircraft from the United States Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps began a massive air attack against targets in Kuwait and Iraq as Operation Desert Shield became Operation Desert Storm. A few days later coalition ground troops, would begin the ground invasion that would lead to the Liberation of Kuwait and the end of the Persion Gulf war with the surrender of Sadamn Hussain 42 days later. 

In this painting entitled, "Ships of the Desert" combat artist Rick Herter depicts a Marine Corp's C-130 Hercules on approach to a remote Desert Air Field.  More than 2.2 million U.S. service members served during the era and an estimated 694,550 deployed to the Gulf. There are an estimated 1.68 million Veterans from that era are still alive.

Veterans have shared how the war forever changed the U.S. military.  View content at a special Desert Storm website at https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/30-years-desert-storm/.

Palm Beach County offers community services “helping people build better communities”.  The Department of Veteran services “Assists and counsels former and current members of the Armed Forces who reside in Palm Beach County. Services include assistance in preparing and filing claims for benefits for which they are entitled under federal, state, and local laws. Dependents and survivors of present or former members of the Armed Forces may be eligible for the services of this program.”

The residents of Palm Beach County will always honor the families and heroes who have fought for our nation.