Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Virtual Vietnam Veteran's Memoral First click on a state. When it opens, scroll down to the city and the names will appear. Then click on their names. It could show you a picture of the person, or at least their bio and medals. http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm

I felt rather blue today and was thinking about times past. I thought about the Wall.I am sure that a minority of the RIA actually knew anybody whose name appears on it. I knew, personally, four and two were my friends.One was from Iowa. His father was killed in WWII and he died in Vietnam. He is on the wall. I always wondered what his mother thought. Another was a fraternity brother of mine who was shot down. We were in the same chapter and the same college. He had a son who was born after he was killed. I talked to the son about two decades later when I chanced to meet him. I was sad today.

I will be honest even though I have not physically seen this memorial, I will say that I saw a very good painting of it and it tore my heart out!!!! I will admit that in the middle of a very busy shop, I started to cry because of those who died in past wars for my own country and for the US (not forgetting the many other countries that have fallen Men and Women!) My wife asked me if I wanted the print and my reply was, NO. She had a very puzzled look and I said "if you want me to remember my past and those fallen every time I walk into the room were it would be hung, you will see a very somber man for the rest of our lives!!!!" My heart goes out for the men and women fallen!!!! You will always be remembered but I don't think I can be reminded every day so vividly!!! God bless every one of you!!!!!!!! I'm sorry,I know it sounds selfish but I'm only human!!!!!!

There is a part of me that hates this fucking wall for very personal and private reasons. But.... Perhaps in part because I have a relative with his name on this wall, it never fails to move me deeply. I think, however, that it is the subtlety of its design that really tugs at the emotions. One comes upon it almost by surprise, even when it is the objective, and it never fails to have a profound impact. I have been there many times, and every time I have seen people wrapped in grief.

i have never seen it in person but would like to someday.I do not think we should ever forget our past history. i was a child during the years of Vietnam. I remember so much protesting about this war, but a lot of men died in the Vietnam war.and should be remembered and honored. I did not know anyone personally who died. but did know some men who went there. even today they are suffering the effects of that war. { possibly agent orange}. I have seen pictures and they are very moving. i hope to have the chance to see it in person.

I've known a few art-and-architecture fans who (quietly) bemoan what they call a bland and flat momument that (they claim) has been given undue praise- but I've always liked it.  Give me a monument where people can look at names, adjust their eyes, and then see themselves and get lost in a moment of quiet contemplation.  I like the simple lines and stark simplicity of the place.  But you can quibble with one thing hence the four-star rating- it's a monument with emotion and subjectivity removed. . .it speaks nothing to the elements of the waste, corruption, and social impact of this war.  It is a good monument, it is worth a look, but as far as monuments go I find it goes out of its way to play it quite safe in terms of the social and historical implications of Vietnam.  In short, it's a fascinating tribute to the soldiers that says nothing else about this sham of a political, militaristic, and logistical f#ck up.

When I was quite a bit younger than I am today I went with my mom to see it when they did one of those tours where they take it around the country. Mom was looking for something as we looked over it and I quickly understood that she was looking for a childhood friend who was killed in Vietnam at the rather young age of 19. She had spoken of him only once with me prior to that, but I remember her stopping when she found his name and reaching out to touch the wall as I have so often seen done. It had a different effect on me when I saw my mom touch the wall. I was curious about this guy, pissed off about his death based on what I knew about the war, and a little sad all at the same. Years later as I was about to go to boot camp, she told me the reason that me joining the Marines scared her so much is that her friend was a Marine too. I often thought of her friend as I served and even though I never met him, he kept me going in some rough stuff like a good brother in the Corps should. I g... Read more

I wonder if the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will lose some of its power when those who lived through those times have all passed away. It is still very moving for me as a younger American because I can't remember walking past the Memorial at day or night without seeing Vietnam Vets near the wall. It is an incredibly emotional experience to witness those who were there take in the Memorial.