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Veterans, volunteers raise money at 'Patriot Fest' for D.C. Desert Storm memorial

Hundreds of local veterans took to the streets for the Penelope St. Patriot Fest to raise funds for a Desert Storm memorial in Washington D.C.

A group of veterans and volunteers are working around the clock to build help build a Desert Storm memorial in Washington D.C., and the local military community is doing its part too.

Hundreds of local veterans weathered the Texas heat and took to the streets for the Penelope St. Patriot Fest to raise money for the project Saturday.

Tim Hodges said he's proud to have served in Desert Storm, and he was in the streets for those who didn't make it home.

"It's not for us that are living. It's for those that have passed away and their families," Hodges said.

Congress and President Donald Trump approved the National Desert Storm and Desert Shield memorial in March of 2017. The $40 million project is not government funded and is supposed to be built no later than 2021. 

So far, only $8 million has been raised, leaving the National Desert Storm War Memorial Association $32 million short of its goal.

Jill Etter is helping lead the local efforts to support the project that she said is long overdue.

"In my opinion, Operation Desert Storm is the most successful war in the history of this world," Etter said.

During Desert Storm, also known as the Gulf War, more than 30 nations united to overthrow former Iraqi President Sadam Hussein, who was later executed after being found guilty of crimes against humanity. The coalition also liberated Kuwait in the process.

Vietnam veteran Roger Deweese said helping raise money for the memorial was a personal mission to him.

"I don't want our veterans treated like our Vietnam veterans were treated," Deweese said. "This is our way of supporting our veterans."

Anyone who couldn't make it to Patriot Fest to donate to the cause can still make a donation online.

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