Vietnam Veteran Memorials: Remember Those Who Served

War history:

The United States of America entered the Vietnam Conflict in the middle of the 20^th century, creating much controversy. While the Vietnam Conflict was clearly a war, the U.S. only classified it as a conflict. Some soldiers feel that this is why they were treated so poorly by their own country. While all is not mended, time has begun to heal the attitudes surrounding the Vietnam Conflict. The government, as well as independent organizations, has built memorials to recognize the Vietnam veterans. Additionally, school systems are beginning to educate students about the Vietnam Conflict. The war tore the nation apart, but now efforts are being made to heal America's wounds.

Introduction:

Three Vietnam memorials are currently touring the nation, teaching Americans the unknown facts about the Conflict. The first piece is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which called the Moving Wall. The LZ Arielle Vietnam Veterans' Display is the second piece. This memorial is a collection of artifacts from Vietnam. The final piece is the Quilt of Tears, which seeks justice for the Vietnam veterans who were killed in the battlefields of America - the ones who died after the Conflict. These passionate memorials recognize the veterans who were once scorned.

Moving Wall:

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was built in 1982 and is permanently located in Washington, D.C. It was designed as a place for people to come and remember the soldiers who died in Vietnam. In 1984 John Devitt created the Moving Wall, as a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to tour the nation so more people could see it.

Glenn Ream, a Vietnam veteran and current secretary for the Lapeer County Vietnam Veterans, hopes the replica will give more people a chance to see the Memorial. He said, "Many people will never have the money to travel to D.C. to see the Wall itself."

Ream noted the specification of the Moving Wall, saying that it contains over 58,000 names of deceased soldiers. He also mentioned that there are eight women recognized on the Wall.