PRESS RELEASE
Jeffrey Smith, (984) 204-8327
Cary Cox, (919) 807-7388
Susan Lamb, (919) 807-7943
November 3, 2016
The First Gulf War, The War to Free Kuwait Traveling Exhibit
Premiers at Dedication Event for Veterans, Service Members
High resolution pictures of the exhibit, including these, can be found here.
RALEIGH, N.C. — A new traveling exhibit about The First Gulf War: The War to Free Kuwait, opens Friday, Nov.
4, at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. The exhibit premiered to an audience of Gulf War veterans and
veterans of other conflicts, members of the military stationed in North Carolina, and veterans’ family members.
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz and Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs Secretary Cornell Wilson, Jr. today hosted a dedication event at the museum.
What: A new traveling exhibit about The First Gulf War: The War to Free Kuwait
When: Nov. 4 through Jan. 15 at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh; after Jan. 15 the exhibit will
travel around the state
Who: The N.C. Museum of History, the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and the N.C.
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs partnered to create this informative exhibit
First Exhibit Location: N.C. Museum of History
The Government of the State of Kuwait funded the exhibit to honor the 75,000 men and women, and their
units, stationed in North Carolina, who served and sacrificed to liberate Kuwait. Admission is free.
Creation of the exhibit
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In January 2016, on the 25th anniversary of the start of Operation Desert Storm, a $100,000 gift from
the Kuwaiti government was transferred from the Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs to the Dept. of
Natural and Cultural Resources and the N.C. Museum of History to develop a traveling exhibit.
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The exhibit will travel to different locations across the state, including museums, libraries, military
installations and schools, it was designed as a series of panels that could be easily transported and
erected.
A customized Chevrolet Suburban on loan from the N.C. Department of Transportation, painted to
match the ones used during the liberation of Kuwait, will transport the exhibit to different locations.
Design Dimensions, Inc. of Raleigh was selected to design and build the exhibit. DDI has built several
exhibits at the Museum of History, including Down Home, Jewish Life in NC, Scent of the Pine, and
the recent Billy Graham exhibit, North Carolina’s Favorite Son.
Exhibit content
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The First Gulf War features eight informational panels, filled with photographs, recounting the conflict
that began when dictator Saddam Hussein attacked Kuwait Aug. 2, 1990. The resulting conflict became
known as the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1991, when the United States led the most diverse coalition of
nations in recent history in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm to oust Iraqi forces that had
invaded Kuwait. The exhibit highlights the history of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, the
weapons used in the Gulf War and the liberation of Kuwait.
The exhibit also recognizes numerous units from North Carolina that played important roles in the
Persian Gulf War. These range from Fort Bragg to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to Marine Corps
Base Camp Lejeune, along with several National Guard and Reserve facilities.
The exhibit’s final panel, titled “The Cost of War,” acknowledges 17 service members from North
Carolina who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Exhibit locations
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The First Gulf War will be on display on the third floor of the N.C. Museum of History until Jan. 15, 2017.
Then it will travel to the N.C. National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters in Raleigh. Later locations
include the Fayetteville Technical Community College as well as other local museums.
The museum’s website (http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/) will list the dates and locations where the exhibit
can be viewed as well as a contact for organizations that would like to schedule the exhibit.
North Carolina in the Persian Gulf War
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Numerous North Carolina military units played a part in the Persian Gulf War, from Fort Bragg, Seymour
Johnson Airforce Base, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Pope Airforce Base and several National
Guard and Reserve facilities.
More than 75,000 troops stationed in North Carolina served during the Persian Gulf War in support of
the liberation of Kuwait, providing 40 percent of the combat power.
Seventeen service members from North Carolina gave the ultimate sacrifice in this conflict. Their names
and hometowns are included in the exhibit.
About the N.C. Museum of History
The N.C. Museum of History is located at 5 E. Edenton Street in downtown Raleigh. Hours are Monday through
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. The museum collects and preserves artifacts of North
Carolina history and educates the public on the history of the state and the nation through exhibits and
educational programs. Each year more than 300,000 people visit the museum to see some of the 150,000
artifacts in the museum collection. The Museum of History, within the Division of State History Museums, is part
of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
For information about the N.C. Museum of History, a Smithsonian-affiliated museum, call 919-807-7900 or go to
www.ncmuseumofhistory.org or follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ or YouTube.
About the N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Under the leadership of Secretary Cornell Wilson, the new Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will focus
on protecting North Carolina’s military installations, working with the communities around military bases, helping
military families and veterans get the support and services they need, and helping connect veterans with jobs.
Cornell Wilson has served under Governor McCrory as Military Affairs Advisor since October 2013. A retired
Marine Corps Major General, he last served as the Commanding General of U.S. Marine Forces Southern
Command in Miami, Fl. and the Deputy Commanding General of Marine Forces Command in Norfolk, Va.
For the military and veterans, the governor has initiated in-state tuition for veterans, veterans driver’s licenses,
veterans treatment courts, and counting military experience for becoming things like commercial driver’s or police
officers. The governor cited the newly created departments as a way to build on this progress. To learn more
about the N.C. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, visit www.NC4VETS.com.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the
leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic
future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our
state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina
by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state's history, conserving the state's natural heritage,
encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.
NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three
aquariums and Jennette's Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C. Zoo, the nation's first statesupported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation
Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more
information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.
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N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
109 E. Jones Street | Raleigh, N.C. | 27601
[email protected] | ncdcr.gov