From 2000: Mementos at the Wall

Summary

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, dedicated in 1982, has become a poignant site where visitors leave behind personal mementos, messages, and remembrances for the fallen. This heartfelt tradition has led to the accumulation of thousands of items, including photographs, letters, dog tags, medals, and even wedding rings. The National Park Service, recognizing the historical significance, sought help in cataloging this collection, which has grown to an impressive 64,000 items. The collection, stored primarily in Maryland, is also loaned out for exhibits, such as those at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History and the Jersey Explorer Children's Museum. The artifacts serve as a social history, curated by the public, reflecting the personal impact and stories behind each item. The collection continues to grow, with each addition contributing to the memorial's narrative and the ongoing remembrance of those who served.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Vietnam Veterans Memorial has a profound impact on Americans, inspiring a tradition where visitors leave behind mementos, messages, and remembrances.
• 🧩 A Park Ranger collects these items daily, leading to a collection that has grown significantly since the memorial's dedication in 1982.
• 🎗️ The National Park Service recognized the collection as historic, containing items like dog tags, medals, wedding rings, photographs, and letters.
• 📚 By 1989, the collection required cataloging assistance, and a volunteer, Felton, became the curator of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection.
• 👟 The collection includes a wide range of items, such as Ho Chi Minh sandals, trifold flags, and even shell cases, each with its own story.
• 🏆 Felton, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, sometimes can piece together the stories behind the items, like an essay left by an art teacher's former student.
• 💌 Many of the offerings left at the memorial are anonymous, but Felton occasionally uncovers personal stories, adding depth to the collection.
• 🚫 The collection is uncensored, intense, and can be overwhelming, reflecting the raw emotions associated with the Vietnam War.
• 📈 The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection has grown to an astonishing size of about 64,000 objects, most stored in Landover, Maryland.
• 🏛 The National Park Service loans out exhibits from the collection, such as one at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History and another at the Jersey Explorer Children's Museum.
• 📚 The collection serves as a social history, curated by the public, who leave items that they feel are important and that convey their sentiments and memories.

Q & A

When was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedicated?

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in 1982.

What remarkable tradition arose from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

A remarkable tradition arose where everyday visitors to the wall leave behind mementos, messages, and remembrances.

Who is Anthony Miglia and what was his role?

Anthony Miglia was the head of the cleanup crew when the memorial was dedicated.

What types of items did Anthony Miglia recall from the early days of the memorial?

Anthony Miglia recalled photographs of men in uniform, teddy bears, and letters from mothers and girlfriends.

What was the National Park Service's decision regarding the collection of items left at the memorial?

The National Park Service decided it had a historic collection and needed help cataloging the growing inventory.

Who volunteered to help the National Park Service and what is his current role?

Floyd Johnson volunteered to help and is currently the curator of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection.

What are some of the items included in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection?

The collection includes dog tags, medals, wedding rings, photographs, letters, and various other personal items.

What is the significance of the items left at the memorial?

The items left at the memorial are significant as they represent personal connections, memories, and tributes to the veterans.

What does Felton, the curator, sometimes struggle with regarding the items left?

Felton sometimes struggles with the significance of certain items, as some of the offerings and their meanings can be a mystery.

How has the collection grown over time?

By 1989, the collection had grown to thousands of articles, and by the time of the script, it had grown to an astonishing size of about 64,000 objects.

Where is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection stored and exhibited?

Most of the collection is stored in Landover, Maryland, but the National Park Service also loans out exhibits, such as those at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History and the Jersey Explorer Children's Museum.

What is the social significance of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection?

The collection is a social history, curated by the public, representing the everyday person's perspective and connection to the Vietnam War and its veterans.