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Vietnam War Memorial - Powerful Granite
At the age of twenty one, a female undergraduate at Yale University named
Maya Lin submitted her design for the Vietnam Memorial. Her idea for the
memorial was extremely unique and controversial. After long discussions by
a panel, it was chosen for construction. The design that she submitted was
one that was very different in comparison to other memorials, and it was
one that has a tendency to leave a lot of questions on the minds of the
visitors. On the face of the memorial there is a list of all those who
died or are missing in the order by which they were lost. It could seem
to some one who did not understand the incident that the monument honors
only those lost, but that is incorrect. Maya Linıs design formed into the
most unique memorial structure of its kind, which honors all who served in
the Vietnam War (Colliers 23: 137).
The official name given to the monument was the Vietnam Veterans memorial.
In this name alone it is clear that it was not erected for the sole
purpose of honoring only those who were lost in the conflict. The term KIA
was the abbreviation used for those people who were killed in action, and
these people represent 47,000 of the 58,000 names on the wall. The other
11,000 were soldiers who died from crashes, snake bites, illnesses, and
other non-combat related deaths (Olson 227). There is no distinction made
between the two groups on the monument. The structure is a v-shaped
polished granite slab that unlike other monuments has no message of honor
or patriotism. All of those subjects are left to the thoughts of the
beholder. People often find therapy in locating the name of a companion or
a loved one. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is by far the most emotional
moving war monument in Washington, and that alone makes it very
unique(Collierıs 138).
In comparison with other monuments, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is
vastly different. A point of comparison could be the Marine Corps War
Memorial, otherwise known as the Iwo Jima monument. This monument is a
sculpture of three soldiers risking their lives to keep the American flag
flying. The structure has a deep sense of understood patriotism and there
is a great deal of honor that is also associated with it. Unlike the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Iwo Jima monument is a tribute only to
the Marines who served in World War Two. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial has
no such message of honor and courage, but rather an atmosphere that causes
visitors to reflect on the conflict (Colliers 138-139).
The only monument that is similar the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the
memorial to Ulysses S. Grant. It is located at the foot of the capital and
has no clear cut meaning. There is no political message that can be taken
away from Grantıs memorial. It neither glorifies war nor possesses an
antiwar message, and there is no moral lesson that can be taken away from
this monument (Colliers 138). One of the great things about the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial is that it allows the public to form its own opinion of
the conflict with out forcing a political message. It is because of this
ambiguity that the monument is so unique.
Unlike other monuments, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial can not be seen
from a distance. One must commit to see it, and then walk down to it. This
is just the opposite of other monuments such as the Lincoln Memorial and
the Jefferson Memorial which were created to show the men on a higher God-
like platform. Also, it is not at all uncommon to find men and women alike
weeping at the base of the monument (Colliers 138-139) Cynics could argue
and say they morn only for their loved ones, and were not moved by the
power of the monument, but this is not always the case. The Vietnam
Veterans Memorial is an experience that affects thousands of people daily,
and changes the lives of almost as many. This is a characteristic that no
other war monument in the country seems to posses.
The first inscription on the wall reads ³IN 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 US². The Vietnam Veterans
Memorial is also unique in the sense that is honors all who fought, as
most monuments honor only those who died. From this one could imply that
the veterans were not sufficiently honored by the people of America.
(Colliers 139-140)
It is clear that the erection of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was a
wonderful addition to the Washington Mall of monuments. There is some
disagreement as to the exact meaning of the monument, but that is because
in was designed for that very purpose. Maya Lin was quoted to say that she
wanted a ³quiet place, meant for personal reflection and private reckoning²
(Colliers 139) That was exactly what she gave to the country in her unique
interpretation of what the monument should be.
Word Count: 884
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