Desert Storm Hat

1999

In 1991, nearly 700,000 U.S. troops were deployed to the Middle East during a 43-day air offensive in response to an invasion of Kuwait. The high number of U.S. soldiers deployed was controversial, largely because the U.S. had not and did not declare war. Those 43 days are commonly known as “Desert Storm,” and in some cases the “100-hour ground war.” Of the 697,000 U.S. troops deployed, 299 lost their lives.

Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were two of the soldiers deployed. McVeigh and Nichols continued their relationship and would develop a growing hatred for the federal government. McVeigh won many service awards as a soldier. This hat reminds us of the ways in which prejudice and hatred, left unchecked, grow into something violent and deadly. It is also a reminder not to tolerate hate and prejudice, and to stand together.