As I thought about what design would be most appropriate, I realized that "The Wall" in Washington D. C. has become the iconic symbol of the Vietnam War. As a Vietnam Veteran, I donated my time and talent to this worthy project. My design is configured to resemble "The Wall" with several individualized changes that allow each viewer to learn more of the true facts about this most controversial war through the eyes of the veterans that were there experiencing this war firsthand. This memorial is dedicated to all Vietnam Veterans, both the living and the lost.
The main inscription engraved on the panels is WELCOME HOME, the five (5) seals of the services, the service of women and the seal of the Vietnam Commemoration. Located on the far right panel is the POW-MIA seal. Below the seals are personal expressions of Vietnam Veterans saying how they felt in Vietnam, or of their thoughts after they had returned home. It could be a line from a song or a poem written by the Veteran or one that they felt expressed their thoughts. Along the bottom of the panels are combat scenes depicting some of the equipment used by each service branch during the war such as a Huey, a Dust-off, an F-4 jet, and a Swift Boat. This design concept created a very unique memorial for our Vietnam Veterans and it is my hope that the visitors will take it into their hearts as they view and read about the history of the Vietnam War.
At the end of my dedication speech I asked the question Who has the authority to speak to our scars; the media, politicians, anti-war protestors, and Ken Burns have all spoken their point of view. So now after these fifty years the Vietnam Veterans can speak to our own scars, without bias, or prejudice. America should be ashamed of the way Vietnam Veterans were treated. If that war was lost, the politicians lost it, not the American service men and women, put the blame where blame belongs.