The Vietnam Veteran Memorial

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The Vietnam War is considered one of the most controversial and longest wars in the American history. It led to the construction of the Vietnam Veterans memorial wall in 1982, having been crafted by Maya Lin, an architecture student at Yale University. The Vietnam Veterans moving memorial wall is a national memorial located in Washington D.C. The wall contains names of servicemen who died (Killed in Action) or went missing (Missing in Action) during the Vietnam War. “The memorial comprises of three distinct parts which include three Soldiers statues, Vietnam Veterans Wall and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial” (McGuiness, 2011).
The Vietnam War was surrounded by numerous myths claiming that many of those killed in the Vietnam War blacks. However, according to the memorial wall, 86% of the soldiers who lost their lives in the Vietnam war were Caucasians, 12.5% blacks and 1.2% other races. It also believed that America lost in the Vietnam War. American believes that The Vietnam Veteran memorial is not a just commentary regarding the war but rather forms a dialogue with those who died. The experience is felt in the structure represented by its polished walls. Visiting the wall forms a personal memory that resembles the actual memories and experiences of the Vietnam War. “It helps one capture the feelings of ambiguity and anguish that was evoked by the Vietnam War” (Mandino et al., 2011).
The wall was crafted in a design that gives the visitors an opportunity to experience a mythological journey with lots of hardships and trials enabling the visitors become psychological whole after the visit. Visitors also leave letters and offerings at the site to symbolize of appreciation and remembrance for those who died. The VVM acts as a symbo...

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... who sacrificed. Today, the wall exhibits the true spirit of togetherness and national unit portrayed by Americans through a historical and cultural context. It will forever remain a place of hope and optimism for many Americans.

Works Cited

Holmes, C., Sullivan, M., Finlay, J., Natick (Mass.)., Morse Instutite Library (Natick, Mass.), & Veterans Oral History Project (2012). The moving wall Natick commemorative booklet: In honor of the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States who servied in The Vietnam War. Natick, Mass: Morse Institute Library.
Mandino, S., Sullivan, M., & Morse Institute Library (Natick, Mass.). (2012). Veterans oral history project.
McGuiness, J. J., Jolley, E. J., Nee, C., Rovner, M., Sullivan, T. B., Sinclair, R. C., Liben, D. H., Natick Pegasus (Natick, Mass.). (2011). The Vietnam moving wall. Natick, Mass.: Natick Pegasus.

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