| Vietnam Veterans Memorial | |
|---|---|
| The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. |
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. honors the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who served during the **Vietnam War**, especially the **more than 58,000 who lost their lives** or remain missing in action.
It is one of the most visited and emotionally powerful memorials in the United States.
Location and Layout
- Situated on the **National Mall**, near the Lincoln Memorial
- Composed of three parts:
1. The **Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall** 2. The **Three Servicemen Statue** 3. The **Vietnam Women’s Memorial**
The Memorial Wall
- Designed by **Maya Lin**, then a 21-year-old Yale architecture student
- Completed in **1982**
- Made of black granite and inscribed with the names of **58,281** service members
- Walls form a **V-shape**, sunken into the earth and gradually rising
- Names are listed in chronological order of death or disappearance
Symbolism and Design Intent
- The polished surface reflects the viewer, blending the living and the fallen
- No political statements — intended to heal and unify
- The minimalist design was controversial at first but has become widely respected
The Three Servicemen Statue
- Added in 1984, sculpted by Frederick Hart
- Depicts three soldiers — one African American, one Hispanic, one Caucasian — symbolizing unity
Vietnam Women’s Memorial
- Dedicated in 1993
- Honors the over 265,000 women who served, many as nurses and medical support
Visitor Experience
- Visitors often leave personal mementos, letters, and photographs
- Rangers and volunteers assist with finding specific names
- Name rubbings are a common way families memorialize loved ones
Fun Facts
- Maya Lin’s design won out of 1,421 entries in a national competition
- Items left at the wall are collected and preserved by the National Park Service
- The wall has become a symbol of healing and reconciliation