The centerpiece of this memorial is an obelisk atop a structure of military sandbags, built by the 512th Maintenance Squadron of Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, and retired Chief Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Michael Bellerose. Made from aircraft steel, the obelisk houses more than 7,130 dog tags, each bearing the name, rank, service, date, and location of a veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice defending freedom in the Middle East. These veterans served in operations beginning as far back as April 24, 1980, in Operation Eagle Claw, and since then in the Persian Gulf War, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, overseas contingency operations formerly known as the Global War on Terrorism, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Every May during Military Appreciation Month, a ceremony honors every veteran who fell while deployed to the Middle East during the preceding year, and their dog tags are added as a reminder of the sacrifices made every day defending freedom. Bricks surrounding the memorial honor all veterans and their families, reflecting the belief that the whole family serves and the whole family sacrifices.