Summary:
The most famous part of this memorial is known as "The Wall". This wall that extends in two directions is inscribed with 58,249 names. Each wall is 246.75 feet long.

It's not an obvious memorial, partially placed below the surrounding ground level. But it's a walk that will stay with you for years after you've left.

There are two other parts, the statue for the Vietnam Womens Memorial and the Statue of the Three Servicemen.

Features:
The names are etched on black granite panels that compose the Wall. There are 70 separate inscribed panels with 4 panels reserved at each end without names. The names honor veterans that died as a result of the Vietnam conflict, dating from 1959 through 1975.

Frederick Hart designed the Three Servicemen statue.

Glenna Goodacre designed the Vietnam Women's Memorial.

Accessibility:
All areas of the National Mall are wheelchair accessible. Each site on the Mall has one wheelchair that can be used by visitors.

Facing derision and an uphill battle, he and a group of veterans formed a group called the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF).

The late 1970's was a difficult time to do anything for vets. I joined the Air Force in 1977. When people saw my short hair they'd turn around and walk off. The military wasn't popular except in some communities that believed in country, flag, and apple pie. $5 and $10 at a time they raised money for the memorial. Virginia Senator John Warner donated $5,000.00 of his own money. He went on to raise another $50,000.00. By the time all was said and done, more was done than said. They had raised $8.4 million. This included 275,000 from individuals.

That was just the first step. Mr Scruggs then appeared before the Senate requesting permission to a site for the memorial. Two acres near the Lincoln Memorial seemed like the perfect location for the memorial. By July 1, 1980 the necessary bills had been passed and President Jimmy Carter signed the act into law.

The memorial was dedicated on November 13, 1982.

Today you'll see families and vets walking along the wall, reading the names, tears streaming down their cheeks. We forgot our veterans once, that mistake won't happen again.

Activities:
Walking along the Wall, looking at the statues. If you collect campaign and unit patches there are a couple of booths at the top of the Reflecting Pool

Area Attractions:
See our City Attractions page for more.

Food & Sundries:
There's nothing at the Memorial. You might be able to get water at the Lincoln Memorial. During the warmer months ice cream vendors seem to pop up everywhere. You can head north towards George Washington University or northwest towards Georgetown University are probably your best bet for restaurants.

Directions:
Interstates 66 and 395 provide access to the Mall from the south. Interstate 495, New York Avenue, Rock Creek Parkway, George Washington Memorial Parkway,provide access from the North. Interstate 66, Route 50 and 29 provide access from the West. Routes 50, 1, and 4 provide access from the East.

Local Towns:
Alexandria ,  Arlington ,  Centreville ,  Chantilly ,  Dulles ,  Dumfries ,  Fairfax ,  Falls Church ,  Herndon ,  Lorton ,  Manassas ,  Mclean ,  Reston ,  Rosslyn ,  Springfield ,  Sterling ,  Triangle ,  Vienna ,  Woodbridge

Local Accommodations:
Alexandria ,  Arlington ,  Centreville ,  Chantilly ,  Dulles ,  Dumfries ,  Fairfax ,  Falls Church,  Herndon ,  Lorton ,  Manassas ,  Mclean ,  Reston ,  Rosslyn ,  Springfield ,  Sterling ,  Triangle ,  Vienna ,  Woodbridge

Commercial:

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