Thousands mark 25th anniversary of Vietnam Veterans Memorial

[unhappycamper]

Thousands mark 25th anniversary of Vietnam Veterans Memorial
By Patrick Thornton, Stars and Stripes
Stars and Stripes online edition, Monday, November 12, 2007


America’s most controversial war gave way to its most memorable war memorial.

The polished black granite of the Vietnam War Memorial is engraved with 58,256 names of fallen soldiers, but its impact has gone far beyond those who died in Vietnam, their family members and Vietnam veterans. Veterans from ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have come to the wall to help heal their wounds, and many Americans with no connections to recent wars visit the memorial.

On Veteran’s Day, 25 years after the Vietnam War Memorial was completed, thousands of veterans, their family members and others came to pay tribute to a memorial that has transcended generations and American culture. Vietnam veteran and retired Army Gen. Colin Powell gave the keynote address at the 25th anniversary ceremonies, which was led by Jan Scruggs, founder and President of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Few, if any, ever imagined that two 75-foot pieces of rock that carve into the Earth could have ever meant this much to a nation or have been so cathartic to a generation of soldiers who fought in a tense, bloody and unpopular war.

“How could this gravestone to those who died in one of America’s most controversial, and perhaps most unpopular war, come to occupy such a wonderful, remarkable place in America’s collective heart,” Powell wondered before describing the power of the Wall. “The Wall came at a time when we desperately needed something to help heal a nation that had been deeply wounded by Vietnam and by other traumatic events in the 1960s and 1970s,”

Edie Meeks, board member of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation and nurse during the War, remembers being told by fellow nurses, “be sure to take your uniform off as soon as you get stateside. Things aren’t pretty for anyone in uniform.”


Rest of article at: http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=50224

[Bitwit1234]

1. As I have said before

just standing before the wall and watching the people takes your breath away. It is so simple but inspires such awe.

When this monument was chosen I thought, goodness that wouldn't seem right,but you know what, after it was built and I got a look at it, you know it WAS the right decision.

I don't know about anybody else that goes there but it gave me goose bumps and the tears wouldn't stop.

[unhappycamper]

2. I visit my Brothers and Sisters at The Wall everytime I go to DC.

When it first went up, I was pissed they buried this memorial beneath the ground so it wouldn't be seen.

I now realize the monument is perfect as is.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Almost perfect.

They didn't need to add the statues and flags and such. The original stark design - a black scar in the land - was perfect.

I exempt from my grousing the statue of the nurses, off to the side. Nearly as powerful The Wall itself.

[TahitiNut]

3. It's not a "War" Memorial, first of all.

Upon it are enscribed the names of this nation's children, NOT the names of battles, or campaigns or any of the other hubris of war. Unlike the World War II War Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial appropriately reflects the human cost of war. Without rank, without age, with only the names their parents gave them, the lives of those sacrificed for the insanity of nations reflect that not only are we created equal, we die equal.

[saigon68]

5. Yes and for those who the night sweats

The endless horrific dreams, the sight of limbs torn off and bodies split asunder, which still assault their

Ever waking moments