Story 1

May 19, 2008

The Vietnam Memorial

We have all seen them.....the pictures of the Vietnam Wall that show tokens laid down in front of it. The tokens left in love, in caring, in friendship, and in memory of those listed on the wall. We all know that so many were lost in the Vietnam War, a war that was so controversial that it brought hurt to our entire nation. So many tried to follow their predecessors to feel pride in our country as they protected it and serve under our nation's flag. So many lost their young lives while attempting to do so.

 

The Vietnam Memorial not only consists of the wall of names, it consists of two monuments also. The wall is the main component and it was dedicated in 1982. A flagpole with an inscription and emblems representing the branches of military service was added in 1983. Many knew the wall was a start to recognize those fallen military members, but did not feel it appropriately honored the veterans of Vietnam. So, in 1984 the Servicemen Statue was erected. Then a tribute for the work of the military women was add in 1993. There are eight trees surrounding the statue's plaza representing the eight women that died in Vietnam. These memorials pull everything together. The Vietnam era of military is finally recognized in an honorable way. The memorial added a Memory Plaque in 2004. This plaque honors individuals who died prematurely because of war-related illnesses, including Agent Orange poisoning and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The giant black granite wall is breathtaking as you approach it, people walking along are moved as they see thousands of names inscribed. There are between 58,200 - 58,260 names on it and everyone of them were heroes. The reason there is a difference of numbers is that some may be added as time goes by. We all knew someone whose name is on the wall, whether personally or through friends. This memorial was the first to be decided by a competition for the design and where to place it, the design chosen was that of a college student named Maya Ying Lin.

It may sound strange after all the controversy about the war, that this memorial is the most visited in Washington DC, with approximately 4 million visitors yearly. As one visits you may witness grown men wiping their eyes, a child realizing this wall represents a grandparent to them, an elderly lady placing flowers at the area her child's name is at. They all remember each name in their hearts. This is a reflective wall, a memorial that was needed especially for those who fought in the war and need help moving on, they needed something that proved they did exist, that they can recover, and to let them remember those comrades they lost. The Vietnam Wall has now become a part of the emotional healing process for many Vietnam veterans suffering with PTSD.

So many little tokens of love set down at the wall.....a note from a student thanking them all, a military unit's patch, a love letter from a wife, a toy that belonged to one's child, a picture, a flag, a hand drawn heart....a heart you can feel the love that still exists. A cross, a pack of cigarettes, a can of beer, a pair of worn out combat boots, a book, and a small stuffed worn out teddy bear all representing someone's thoughts. All these gifts are gathered up daily and placed away for safe keeping in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection at the National Park Service Museum Resource Center. Yes, though these people listed on the wall are no longer with us....they have changed our lives and will remain in our minds and hearts forever.

The wall, a V shaped wall standing for Vietnam, is 493.50 feet long and made up of 70 panels. The highest point of height is 10.1 feet tall and the lowest is 8 inches. It is inscribed with the names of all missing and deceased men and women starting at the beginning of the war on the first panel and continuing until the last one. Those Missing In Action are indicated with a cross beside their name; to be amended to a circle around the cross if they are identified. The first name listed is a soldier killed in 1959, though a couple other names from prior deaths have now been added. There are about 70 names which are duplicates or misspellings and 8 of the names are of women. Many complained, as it was designed, that the memorial was not white, that it was horizontal, and they complained that it was in the ground instead of rising upward.

The Moving Wall, also known as The Traveling Wall:
The replica of the Vietnam Wall was made for the purpose of helping heal and rekindle friendships and to allow people the opportunity to visit loved ones in their home town who otherwise may not be able to make the trip to Washington. The replica is not exact. All of its panels are the same height, about 7 feet and over 370 feet long. It was first displayed in October of 1984. Two structures of The Moving Wall now travel the USA from April through November, spending about a week at each site.

To all who came home; Welcome Home.
For those who gave their life: You Shall Never Be Forgotten.
For all the visitors: Thank You All For Remembering