Kuwait has expressed its gratitude for the US' efforts in liberating the country from Iraq occupation in 1991, with its annual float in the US National Memorial Day parade.
Memorial Day is a national holiday in the US that remembers those who have died while serving for the county's armed forces. This year, the parade is the nation's largest Memorial Day event and featured veterans of every conflict, from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Memorial Day is one of the annual important events that Kuwait embassy is keen on participating in. This year there was a joint effort with Ministry of Information," Counselor Nawaf Al Enezi told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
"It is an opportunity to remember all the fallen soldiers and express appreciation and gratitude to the American people and government for their unforgettable efforts to liberate Kuwait in 1991. This year marks the 26th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation and we are here to join our American friends and to express our thanks," he said.
Kuwaiti Major General Marzouq Al Bader expressed to KUNA, Kuwait's "gratitude for participation of men and women of the US who lead a coalition of more than 30 nations to liberate Kuwait from aggression of Iraq."
He added that the embassy of Kuwait is one of the sponsors of this occasion.
"We are very honoured to be here joining men and women of United States who risked their lives as well as the current active men and women in the military. We are honoured to be here. God bless America."
Kuwait's float was followed by a group from the National Desert Storm War Memorial association that included many of the honourable servicemen who served in the Gulf War.
"In 1990 and 1991, we Kuwaitis watched with admiration as the US armed forces put themselves in harm's way to liberate our country, Kuwaiti Ambassador to the US Shaikh Salem Al Sabah said in a video statement at the parade. "That is why we are present at the Memorial Day with our float and we will always be there to say thank you."
Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990 and occupied the country for seven months, before a US-led coalition ejected the Iraqi forces in February 1991. During the occupation, Iraqi forces looted public and private properties, and set alight over 700 oil wells before escaping towards Iraq

Source: BNA