brought us to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era Educational Center. If you'd like to check out their website, for information and directions, please click HERE.
It was a gorgeous day outside, and we had planned this trip because they offer a scholarship opportunity for High School Seniors. We made it to the memorial for one of the free guided tours, which are offered every Saturday at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, February 6th through April 10th, 2010.
The memorial is more than just a wall of names and a statue of soldiers. All of the elements were planned to include many symbols, full of meaning for those who take the time to contemplate them. The symbols were explained during the tour.
The tour was way more emotional than I expected, especially considering that I have very limited ties to the war itself. I never lost anyone in Vietnam. My uncle fought in the Vietnam War, but it was not something that we ever talked much about when he came back.
The tour guides were the key. The gentlemen who ran the tour were Vietnam Vets themselves, with strong emotional ties that you could still feel when they spoke. They loved and lost people to the war. On more than one occasion, when the symbology of the place was being explained during the tour, they brought me to tears. It was a very reverent, moving occasion.
I highly recommend anyone take a little time to tour the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation and Vietnam Era Educational Center.
Love the Blog! Very interesting. Must go to the memorial. jd
ReplyDeleteThe memorial is not just a place for war memorable and graphics, but holds so much of deep sentiments and emotions for hundreds of people. A must visit for anyone with a keen interest on history.
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