After its controversial beginnings when it was unveiled in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial quickly became one of the most often visited memorials in the capital. Two black granite walls in the shape of a V, totaling a sombering 493 feet long, are engraved with the names of the 58,209 individuals who lost their lives in Vietnam, the longest war in American history – and one of the most controversial.
The wall evokes intense emotion, whether visitors are seeking the names of a loved one, or just visiting this famous memorial. An alphabetical directory guides visitors to the location of each veteran’s name, listed on the wall in the chronological order of their death. Many visitors capture a family or friend’s etched name rubbing pencil on paper.
The memorial was designed by Maya Ying Lin, a 21-year-old graduate student who won the contest to design the memorial. Lin has gone on to a storied career as an architect of many other memorials.
Attraction Information
- Hours:
- 8am to 11:45pm daily
- Admission:
- Free
- Metro Stop:
- Blueline or Orangeline to the Foggy Bottom-GWU Station
- Contact:
- Location: Henry Bacon Drive NW and Constitution Ave NW, Washington DC
- Phone: 202-426-6841
- Website: www.nps.gov
