Vietnam Veterans' Memorial: Overwhelming Sense of Loss
Written: Jul 31 '00 (Updated May 27 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Overwhelmingly emotional experience to see the names of so many lost lives
Cons: The crowd of school children who showed little respect
The Bottom Line: This monument reminds us that our freedom was bought with the lives of those who died in the service of our great country. God bless America!
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| diverpam's Full Review: Vietnam Veterans Memorial |
As we approached The Wall from a distance I saw the black granite and felt a sense of total awe and deepest respect. The Wall somberly reflects the nearby Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, as well as the surrounding trees in this peaceful park setting.
It stands as a symbol of the past and gives us hope for the future, that we will learn from our experiences as a country and as defenders of freedom. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on November 13, 1982,a long overdue tribute to those who were killed or are still designated as missing in action.
Terrible Loss
I was moved with the horrible sense of loss, of what would never be for the thousands of people whose names were etched on the wall. I felt deep sorrow for their families and for those who could never be their families. So many lives were lost, and so many lives would never be.
The Vietnam War was a time of terrible controversy. Those who fought and died in this war were not recognized and honored as heroes because of the circumstances surrounding the participation of the United States in this war. For many years, these heroes went unrecognized for their sacrifices. There were returning soldiers who were ridiculed, so unlike the celebrated war heroes of World War II.
Instead of being welcomed home the Vietnam veterans were more likely treated with contempt. This was not a war that was won, there was no victory, no celebration, and no recognition of the lives that were lost in the jungles of Vietnam so many years ago. The first American died in combat in Vietnam in 1959, the last died in combat in 1975.
Many years later the wounds were still there in the hearts and souls of many of those who risked their lives while serving their country. The healing process had yet to begun for them.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund was established as a means to bring honor to those who served in Vietnam.
Approaching the Memorial
On approach it is all a blur in the distance. As you grow closer you begin to see the writing. Even closer you can start to read the names.
At first there are only a few names where the wall is shorter. The closer you walk toward the middle, the higher the wall rises and the more and more names loom before you.
The enormity of it, the sheer size of the wall and number of names is overwhelming. There are two walls, each more than 240 feet long, that meet at a 125 degree angle in the middle and stand at a height of just over 10 feet at their highest point. Each wall (known and the East Wall and West Wall) contains 70 separate panels. The tallest panels contain 137 lines of names, the shortest panels only one.
The Wall was designed by Maya Ying Lin, a 21-year old Yale student. Her design was selected as part of a nationwide competition with almost 1,500 entries.
To see The Wall is to realize the enormity of the lives that were sacrificed to help others and all the futures that were cut short.
The Significance of the Name Placement
The names are etched in the order of the person's death, starting with 1957 in the center of the right panel. The names continue in chronological order to the end of the right panel. They then resume on the far left and end back in the middle with the 1975 panel next to 1957. This helps to symbolize that America has finally come full circle and brought closure and recognition for those who were lost in Vietnam or returned home to a less than welcoming nation.
The Etching of the Names
There were originally 57,939 names,including eight women, inscribed in The Wall. Those who were killed have a diamond etched in front of their name, those who missing in action or prisoners of war had a cross in front of their name. Over the years as remains have been identified and deaths confirmed, the crosses were turned into diamonds. It was the intent that there would be those who were returned alive and a circle would be etched around the crosses. Sadly, no circle has ever been placed around a cross.
Tributes
After reconciling yourself to the sheer number of names on The Wall, you begin to notice the flowers, the tiny American flags, the notes, the poems - the vast array of tributes that line the massive structure. Many of those items have a story behind it -- a friend, a lover, a mother, a father.
Since The Wall was dedicated in 1982, more than 60,000 tributes have been left at the wall. These are collected each night by the National Park Rangers and preserved.
There are people taking rubbings of the name of a friend or loved one. There are heads bowed silently in prayer and tears shed openly in public.
Tears and Tragedy
This memorial is a tribute long delayed; a much needed catharsis for many, too little too late for some. For all who understand it, it has meaning and power of some kind. It is an overwhelming experience.
I wept openly for those who had lost their lives. I wept for those who had lost their loved ones. I felt profound respect for those remembered on the wall.
Sense of Gratitude
Visiting the wall was a humbling experience for me. I couldn't touch the wall.
I was too lucky, personally spared from the horror and tragedy of that war. I lost no friends or family.
To me, touching the wall, tracing a name - that was and honor reserved for those who had known and loved those who had fallen in combat.
Search for POW/MIA
I did have one personal mission at the wall. There was a POW I had prayed for during college that I had never known.
For years I wore a POW/MIA bracelet that bore the name of 1st Lt. Brian Seek. For years I had wondered about his fate. I had searched the newspapers at the end of the war as prisoners were returning home. I never saw his name listed, so I had always wondered and hoped for the best.
Fortunately, his name was not among those on the wall. He had survived those jungles somehow and had come home. I used to look at that bracelet and feel guilty that I was so safe and far removed from the fear and danger that he must have been experiencing. I wanted to go to that wall to honor him and say a prayer for him and his family.
It was a long time before I could leave the wall. It is so incredibly simple and yet so beautiful.
My Suggestion
There are National Park Service personnel on duty from 8 am to 11:45 pm every day except Christmas Day. They can answer questions and help you find names.
When you visit The Wall, you should do so early in the morning, before the crowds begin to arrive. Several busloads of young teens were there in the afternoon doing school assignments, looking for names, while we were there.
They showed little sense of understanding of The Wall and what it meant. They showed even less respect during their visit. I felt anger and hurt at their lack of respect.
Another Time and Another Place
They were too young, too far removed. It was another era - another life. Perhaps one day they will return and they, too, will understand the wall and how it reflects the horror of the war on the lives of so many.
Other Tributes at the Memorial
There is also a beautiful, lifelike bronze sculpture of The Three Servicemen near The Wall. It was added in 1984 because some people felt there should be a more representational sculpture. Designed by Frederick Hart, it is a very moving depiction of three young men. Their innocent, youthful faces are in sharp contrast to the weapons of war they carry. They stand quietly in a shady grove of tree near The Wall, frozen in time as a symbol of the young men who fought in Vietnam.
Fittingly, the Vietnam Women's Memorial is also nearby. These brave women compassionately cared for wounded and dying soldiers. This statue depicts a woman giving comfort to a wounded soldier. This statue was dedicated in 1993 to the 8,500 women who served in Vietnam, and the eight who lost their lives.
You Can Help
You can help support the ongoing maintenance and care of the memorial, as well as educational programs provided by the Memorial Fund by sending a contribution to the following address:
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
1023 15th Street NW
Second Floor
Washington, DC 20005
This review was revised on Memorial Day 2002 as a tribute to all those men and women who have lost their lives over the years in the honorable service of their country.
I close with the inscription on The Wall:
In honor of the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in the Vietnam War. The names of those who gave their lives and of those who remain missing are inscribed in the order they were taken from us.
Recommended:
Yes
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Member: Pam
Location: Collierville, TN
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