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Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Washington, Washington DC (Historic Monuments) image

Located in the beautiful Constitution Gardens near the Lincoln Memorial, between the Reflecting Pool and Constitution Avenue, this memorial honors those Americans who were killed, were prisoners of war, or are still missing from the Vietnam War. To arrive at a design for the memorial, a contest was held, attracting 1,400 proposals. The winner was Maya Lin, a 21-yr-old architectural student (she had received a B on the assignment from her instructor.)

The V-shaped wall blends into its natural surroundings to symbolize the healing process it was to represent. "Take a knife and cut open the earth," Lin explained, "and with time the grass would heal it." The wall's polished black granite wings are inscribed with the names of the more than 58,000 it honors.

A life-sized statue of three servicemen stands near the entrance. Also nearby is a life-sized statue honoring the women who served in the same war.

Wreath ceremonies take place on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

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