35th Anniversary
August 2, 2025 – Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia – A wreath bearing the words “35th Anniversary Operation Desert Shield” rests solemnly before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The wreath, handcrafted by Holly Holeman, who also photographed the moment, was placed as part of one of the nation’s most solemn and revered ceremonies. The wreath-laying is among the highest honors afforded to individuals and organizations in the United States, with participants selected through a formal request process overseen by the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment (“The Old Guard”). Those chosen often represent veterans’ groups, military units, civic organizations, or foreign dignitaries, honoring the unknown servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice. On this occasion, Operation Desert Storm veterans William J. Dixon, Jim Ayres, Bob Roth, and Mark Ball carried the wreath to the Tomb during the ceremony.
Arlington National Cemetery, established during the Civil War in 1864 on the grounds of the former estate of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, is the nation’s most hallowed military burial ground. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, dedicated in 1921, stands as a monument to all unidentified U.S. service members lost in war. Guarded 24/7 since 1937, it symbolizes the nation’s commitment to never forget its fallen.
The date of the ceremony—August 2—carries deep significance. On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait, triggering the international response that became Operation Desert Shield. That defensive buildup of coalition forces in the Persian Gulf ultimately led to the liberation of Kuwait in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm. The placement of this 35th Anniversary wreath, connects that pivotal day in history to the broader legacy of American service and sacrifice, bridging the Gulf War generation with more than a century of military honor represented at Arlington.
