Kuwaiti children celebrate freedom, honor U.S. service members

Photo By Sgt. Ricardo Hurtado | Douglas A. Silliman, the U.S. ambassador to Kuwait, along with Kuwaiti dignitaries and a member of the U.S. armed forces perform the cake cutting portion of a celebration commemorating the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait at a local middle school in Kuwait City, Nov. 17, 2015. American service members were recognized during the ceremony and had the opportunity to interact with students and local community members. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Rick Hurtado / Released)  

KUWAIT CITY, KUWAIT

11.17.2015

Story by Sgt. Ricardo Hurtado 

Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait – Operation Desert Storm marked a new beginning for the people of Kuwait. In February 1991, U.S. forces liberated Kuwait after the invasion of Saddam Hussein’s army.

As the 25th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm approaches, the Ministry of Education of Kuwait celebrated the liberation of Kuwait during a commemoration ceremony at a local Kuwait City middle school, Nov. 17, 2015.

In attendance of the event was Douglas A. Silliman, the U.S. ambassador to Kuwait, along with Kuwaiti dignitaries and members of the U.S. armed forces. The American service members were recognized during the ceremony and had the opportunity to interact with the students.

U.S. Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Brian E. Ivers, a Gulf War veteran currently assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force—Crisis Response—Central Command, was one of the service members attending the event. Ivers spent more than 9 months in Kuwait during the evolution of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

“It’s good to see how far Kuwait has come since [the war],” said Ivers. “As far as being with the kids and seeing their youth, it’s pretty rewarding to see that they are growing up in better conditions than they were 25 years ago.”

Ivers also said that revisiting Kuwait and seeing the progress has brought back memories from the war and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“I felt like what we did was actually worth it,” said Ivers.

The event also served as way to strengthen ties between the U.S. service members and the Kuwaiti community.

• Date Taken: 11.17.2015
• Date Posted: 11.25.2015 22:45
• Story ID: 182908
• Location: KUWAIT CITY, KW