2012 2008 The Federal Highway Administration approves a grant for street, road and infrastructure improvements necessary to prepare the site for construction. 2007 Legislation passes in the House and Senate requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of veterans who become disabled for life while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. President George W. Bush signs Public Law 110-277, the American Veterans Disabled for Life Commemorative Coin Act, decreeing that each commemorative silver dollar sold will carry a surcharge of $10, to be paid to the DVLMF for the purpose of building the Memorial. 2013 2010 2009 Memorial construction begins. 2014 The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts approves the final Memorial design. Shalom Baranes Associates of Washington, D.C., is announced as project architect. The National Capital Planning Commission approves the final design. Groundbreaking takes place November 10. The Memorial is dedicated on October 5 and transferred to the National Park Service for management, operation, maintenance and preservation. Memorial was 16 years in the making.