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Debates and criticism have ensued over the design of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. When the idea of building a memorial to commemorate the veterans of the Vietnam War was introduced, it reminded many of a tumultuous time. The Vietnam War will always be remembered as a controversial war that resulted in tens of thousands of casualties of U.S. men and women. In investigating the creation of the Memorial, sources address the aspects of the accepted design of Maya Ying Lin, and detail the service of this historical piece of public art. My paper investigates how Lin's design not only has captivated a following of tourists on the Washington, D.C. Mall, but provides a place for Veterans to reconnect with their past
Keywords: Architecture, Art, Maya Ying Lin, Monument, Vietnam War.
Introduction
When the idea of building a structure to honor Vietnam War veterans was introduced, it reminded many of a tumultuous time for our country. The Vietnam War will always be remembered as a controversial one that resulted in tens of thousands of casualties of U.S. men and women. It was a war that lasted over a decade and, because of news censorship, the American public was not made fully aware of conditions in Vietnam and what the soldiers were experiencing. Despite enduring much criticism and debate, the Vietnam War Memorial has created a lasting, influential dialogue about honor and public art for future generations.
After years of criticism of the Vietnam War, many veterans came home to a country, which did not fully recognize their service. On their return in the 1970s, veterans faced no hero welcomes or parades. The honor, duty and service of the military were not generally admired from the public's standpoint. The heroes' welcome is standard today for returning service personnel, not only as men and women of the armed forces returned from Iraq, but when they come home from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. They are honored with parades, welcome dinners and crowds of families and friends waiting for their arrival. They receive the honor that so many men and women of the Vietnam War should have received on their return. Instead of receiving the honor in a timely manner, their service was recognized only years later....