VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL 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"
THE WALL
"The Wall at about 1100 hours is very pretty and peaceful. (Bob Young Photo)
Many groups of
school children were visiting. Each group wore a distinctive shirt or item
of clothing. It is rewarding to see young people mixing with older
veterans. They came to understand and learn. All were respectful.
Henry Jackson's name added within a foot of Douglas A.
Walker's name. Henry's engraved name is barely visible between the top of his photo and the yellow letters. Scotty's engraved name is just above his yellow
name. The yellow names were added to this photo to aid in seeing the engraved
names. Charlie Rayl provided the photo and red scarf. Others placed the
Vietnamese flags along the w all. (Bob Young Photo)
Volunteers were available along The Wall to assist
visitors in locating names. They provided the pencil and paper to make rubbings
of names. The result of Henry's rubbing is below. (Bob Young Photo)
My rubbing of Henry's name. "My piece of The Wall." (Bob Young
Photo)
Rubbing Scotty's name. (Bob Young Photo)
Another piece of The Wall is my rubbing of Scotty's
name. (Bob Young Photo)
The
Memorial Men look down at The Wall from their hill in the trees. (Bob
Young Photo)
"Sculptor Federick Hart's goal was to create a moving
evocation of the experience and service of the Vietnam veteran. He has described
it as follows: 'they wear it on their uniform and carry the equipment of war;
they are young. The contrast between the innocence of their youth and the
weapons of war underscores the poignancy of their sacrifice. There is about them
the physical contact and sense of unity that bespeaks the bonds of love and
sacrifice that is the nature of men at war.... Their strength and their
vulnerability are both evident.' The flag flies from a 60-foot staff. The base
contains the emblems of the five services. The sculpture and flag form an
entrance plaza."
The Memorial Women remembers all the nurses and woman
that served in Vietnam. (Bob Young Photo)
"Dedicated on November 11, 1993, as part of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Women's Memorial honors the women of the U.S.
Armed Forces who took part in the war. The statue was sculpted by Glenna
Goodacre and depicts three women coming to the aid of a fallen soldier. It
recalls the courage and sacrifice of all women who served. Planted around the
memorial are eight yellowwood trees - a living tribute to the eight servicewomen
killed in action while in Vietnam."
The Washington Monument is under a plastic wrap for
repairs. (Bob Young Photo)