Lawmakers on Thursday gave final approval to the idea of a Global War on Terror memorial, clearing the path for what is expected to be a years-long process of designing and building a tribute to the latest generation of veterans. In wrap-up work before their summer recess, senators unanimously approved legislation that would allow planning of the memorial to begin immediately, instead of the normally mandated 10-year wait period after the end of a military conflict. Supporters have argued that because the ongoing “war on terror” is open-ended, it could take decades before an official end is declared. By then,...