Construction at the site was completed in late October 1982, and the Memorial was dedicated on November 13, 1982.

Inscribed on the black granite walls are the names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives or remain missing.

The design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was the work of Maya Ying Lin of Athens, Ohio, at that time a 21-year-old senior at Yale University. In August of 1981, the Memorial Fund selected a building company and architecture firm to develop the plans and build Lin's design. Lin became a design consultant to the architect of record.

The names are inscribed in the chronological order of their dates of casualty, showing the war as a series of individual human sacrifices and giving each name a special place in history.

Maya Lin conceived her design as creating a park within a park — a quiet protected place unto itself, yet harmonious with the overall plan of Constitution Gardens. To achieve this effect she chose polished black granite for the walls. Its mirror-like surface reflects the images of the surrounding trees, lawns, and monuments.

The memorial's walls point to the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, thus bringing the memorial into the historical context of our country.

"They were with him when he died" | "It was like I was 12 again and I imagined that my Dad had come home and was telling me stories about Vietnam" Joan Cox speaking about her Father CM1 Milford Marvin Tognazzini KIA 8/7/1969.

A member of the Black Creek Gourd Society of the Navajo Nation doing a prayer and honoring ceremony. The society has returned to the Wall each Memorial for 4 years to conduct a “Honoring Dance”.

Members of the Gourd Society.

“Left to right, members of the Black Creek Gourd Society of the Navajo Nation: Chuck Katon, Gary L. Thompson and Charlie Wishart. They all went back to Vietnam in 2006 through the support of the Veterans Vietnam Restoration Project or VVRP in order to take some of the ashes of a friend Joel Scotti to a school he helped to build with Chuck in 2001.

“Gary Thompson as an adopted member of the Navajo Nation, is doing a pipe ceremony over his medicine bundle. “Gary took his pipe and medicine bundle back to Vietnam in 2006 in order to complete his healing journey which started at the Wall in 1992”.

A custom built never riden motorcycle was left at 'The Wall' during Memorial Day weekend 1995 by Vietnam Veterans from Wisconsin. The license plate is stamped "HERO." The plate was retired by the governor of Wisconsin. The bike's extended fork is festooned with 37 dog tags which are representative of the 37 casualties and missing in action of Wisconsin.

Boot at The Wall 5-24-1998

Doc's Easter Basket

Happy Father's Day

The parents of Staff Sergeant Matt Maupin confirmed Sunday that the remains of their son have been found in Iraq. The Maupins were notified around 1 p.m., March 20, 2008 by army officials that DNA tests confirmed the remains found were those of their son. Maupin went missing on April 9, 2004 in Baghdad when insurgents attacked the convoy he was traveling with. Shortly after his disappearance, a poor-quality tape was released that appeared to depict Maupin, but he has still been considered "missing."

His Star shines bright for All Veterans.

The card reads: Happy Holidays to all my brothers & sisters. May you rest in peace and know that you are not forgotten. With love from 'Doc' & Marian Spresser, Rolling Thunder® National 484-432-7234

SP4 Joel Daniel Coleman – Army – 1st Cav. Division (AMBL) Length of service One year. His tour began on Dec. 22, 1965 Casualty was on May 5, 1966 in South Vietnam. Hostile ground casualty. Small arms fire. Body was recovered. Panel 07E - Line 29

A few days before Christmas each year, visitors to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial have the opportunity to help decorate a Christmas Tree at the apex of The Wall. The tree is adorned with ornaments made by school children from all across the country as well as thousands of cards sent to VVMF each December to honor those who served with the U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam and other military conflicts and their families. We also remember those who are serving our country all across the world today.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund receives thousands of holiday messages each December to be placed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Individuals from across the nation include personal messages to honor and remember those who served during the Vietnam War, as well as those currently serving overseas.

"The Wall" Volunteers Christmas Tree Ceremonies December 16, 2013