The Landscape Architect’s Guide to

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Your Guide

Shockingly different than memorials until that time, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial has become a place of healing – meeting the four basic criteria of the design competition: that it be reflective and contemplative in character; that it harmonize with its surroundings; that it contain the names of all or died or remain missing; and that it make no political statement. It was designed to be a park within a park and reflect its surroundings as well as the people looking at the names inscribed on it. The evocative design consists of a black granite wall, a V-shaped gash in the ground with one arm directed toward the Lincoln Memorial and the other toward the Washington Monument.

Learn more about the history of the Vietnam War Memorial.

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Aerial View

The V-shaped memorial is a gash in the ground; it has become a place of healing. Powerful in its simplicity, architect Maya Lin intended the memorial to “allow everyone to respond and remember.”

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A Solemn Visit

A visit to the wall can be solemn; people can be seeking the name of a loved one or recognizing immense sacrifice.

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Looking Toward the Washington Monument

One angle of the wall points toward the Washington Monument, the other points toward the Lincoln Memorial. In 2007 the memorial was ranked tenth on the American Institute of Architects “List of America’s Favorite Architecture.”

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Ceremony

Ceremony at the wall. The Vietnam Veteran’s Fund continues to support the memorial and its maintenance. The memorial also has a very active veteran’s volunteer program, and yellow-shirted veterans regularly interact with visitors.

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The Three Servicemen

The Three Servicemen statue represents ethnic diversity of the troops; they look toward the wall.

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Three Servicemen Statue

Close-up of the Three Servicemen statue.

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Statue Detail

Close-up showing detail of the Three Servicemen statue.

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Directory of Names

Directories help visitors locate names on the wall.

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Inscribed Names

Names inscribed on the wall are updated as status changes.

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Plaque by the Three Servicemen

A plaque installed in the paving near the Three Servicemen statue.

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Flagpole Base

The flagpole base illustrates different service branches.

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Wreaths at the Memorial

Wreaths are often placed at areas within the memorial; here shown is the Vietnam Women's Memorial

Image: National Park Service