Visit the Virtual Vietnam Wall
The Wall in Washington D.C.
I had the honor a couple of years ago to visit the Vietnam Wall memorial on the Mall in Washington D.C. a couple of years ago.
The National Mall contains numerous monuments to great Americans in many settings. There is a World War I memorial, a large and magnificent World War II memorial, and a captivating Korean War memorial.
But none seemed to have the sober, solemn air as did The Wall memorial to the Vietnam War. What little conversation went on, it was usually in hushed, respectful tones.
Perhaps it is because that war is still fresh in the minds of so many, even those like myself who were only children when it was going on and winding down. Perhaps it is because like never before or since have so many of the American people treated their military heroes and defenders with such disgust and contempt.
It has taken our nation a long time to start to heal from the wounds of the Vietnam War, inflicted not just by our enemies but by anti-Americans within our borders.
But much of that healing has begun, and The Wall is an important part of it.
When I was there in 2007, the base of the L-shaped wall was lined with handwritten letters, flowers, memorabilia, unit patches and more–mementos left by visitors with deep ties to that Wall and the men and women whose names are engraved upon it. I am told the National Park Service collects those reverently at the end of every day, keeping them in storage for the day when a memorial or museum will one day be built to feature them.
If you haven’t been to The Wall before and can’t make it anytime soon, the Washington Times and Footnote.com have partnered to bring this online representation of the Wall to you. Using this link you can search the Wall for specific names and actually see a photo of the name engraved on the wall as it is among the 58,000 others there, along with information about the hero behind that name.
If you know a Vietnam veteran, thank them today for their service to our country. It is my distinct honor to write here at Dakota Voice alongside two Vietnam veterans, Dr. Theo and Paul E. Scates–two of the finest men you’ll ever come across. Thank you, gentlemen, for your service to our country then, and for your continuing service to our country today!
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