From 2000: Mementos at the Wall

CBS Sunday Morning

21 Jun 201806:18

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

00:00

📛 The Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Its Mementos

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, dedicated in 1982, has had a profound impact on Americans, leading to a unique tradition where visitors leave behind various mementos, messages, and remembrances at the wall. Anthony Miglia, who headed the cleanup crew, recounts the initial reluctance to dispose of these items, which included photographs, letters, and teddy bears. Over time, the National Park Service amassed thousands of articles, including dog tags, medals, wedding rings, and photographs, recognizing the collection's historical significance. By 1989, the Park Service sought assistance in cataloging the growing collection, which is now curated by a Vietnam veteran, Felton. The collection, consisting of about 64,000 objects, is stored in Maryland, with exhibits loaned out, including to the Smithsonian's Museum of American History and the Jersey Explorer Children's Museum. The collection is a social history, curated by the public, reflecting the personal impact and sentiments of those who visit the memorial.

05:01

🎗️ The Personal Impact and Curation of the Memorial Collection

The second paragraph delves into the personal impact of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial collection, which contains 64,000 items and continues to grow. The collection is described as a social history, curated by the public, with each item carrying a story and significance. The narrative highlights the emotional connection people have with the collection, as seen in the example of a letter written by a high school student to an unknown fallen soldier, inspired by a photograph at the memorial. The paragraph also mentions the efforts to keep the collection alive and relevant, with items such as combat boots and their attached campaign ribbons serving as poignant reminders of the soldiers' experiences. The public's role in curating the collection is emphasized, with individuals leaving items that hold personal importance, ensuring that the memories of those who served are not forgotten.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a national monument in Washington, D.C., dedicated to those who served in the Vietnam War. It is a significant part of the video's theme as it is the central location where the mementos and remembrances are left by visitors, symbolizing the profound impact the war had on the American people.

💡Mementos

Mementos are personal items or keepsakes that are left behind by visitors to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. They represent a tangible connection to the veterans and serve as a way for the public to honor and remember them. In the script, mementos include items such as dog tags, medals, and photographs, which are collected and cataloged by the National Park Service.

💡Tradition

The tradition referred to in the script is the act of visitors leaving behind mementos at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This practice has become a significant part of the memorial's identity and reflects the ongoing connection and respect the public has for the veterans. The tradition is a key element in the video's narrative, illustrating the enduring impact of the war.

💡National Park Service

The National Park Service is a U.S. federal agency responsible for managing national parks and monuments, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. In the context of the video, the National Park Service plays a crucial role in collecting, cataloging, and preserving the mementos left at the memorial, recognizing their historical significance.

💡Curator

A curator is a professional responsible for the care and management of a collection of artifacts or works of art. In the video, the curator of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial collection is responsible for the growing inventory of mementos, ensuring their preservation and historical context. The role of the curator is central to the video's theme of remembrance and historical preservation.

💡Remembrance

Remembrance refers to the act of remembering and honoring those who have served, particularly in the context of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The script highlights how visitors leave behind messages and items as a form of remembrance, creating a powerful connection between the past and present.

💡Ho Chi Minh Sandals

Ho Chi Minh Sandals, also known as 'Ho Chi Minh sandals' in the script, are a specific type of footwear worn by soldiers during the Vietnam War. They are mentioned as one of the items in the collection, symbolizing the everyday experiences of the soldiers and their connection to the war.

💡Cataloging

Cataloging is the process of organizing, classifying, and recording items in a collection. In the video, the National Park Service needed help cataloging the growing inventory of mementos left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This process is essential for preserving the historical significance of the items and making them accessible for future generations.

💡Anonymous Offerings

Anonymous offerings refer to the items left at the memorial without any identifying information. These offerings are a significant part of the collection, as they represent the collective remembrance and respect for the veterans from the public. The anonymity adds a layer of universality to the messages and sentiments expressed.

💡Social History

Social history is the study of the history of everyday people and their experiences, often focusing on aspects of society that are not typically covered in traditional historical narratives. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial collection is described as a social history, as it is curated by the public and reflects the personal experiences and sentiments of individuals towards the war and its veterans.

💡Personal Impact

Personal impact refers to the emotional or meaningful effect that something has on an individual. In the context of the video, the personal impact of the mementos and the stories behind them is emphasized, highlighting how these items can have a more profound effect on understanding history than traditional lessons or narratives.

Highlights

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial has profoundly touched the American people since its dedication in 1982.

A remarkable tradition was born where everyday visitors leave behind mementos, messages, and remembrances at the wall.

A Park Ranger carefully collects the daily remembrances left by visitors.

Anthony Miglia, who headed the cleanup crew, couldn't bring himself to dispose of the initial remembrances, leading to the National Park Service recognizing a historic collection.

The collection includes dog tags, medals, wedding rings, photographs, and letters, reflecting the personal nature of the war's impact.

By 1989, the Park Service needed help cataloging the growing inventory, which included trifold flags and other items.

Felton, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, volunteered to become the curator of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection.

The collection contains hundreds of photographs, some of which Felton can piece together with stories.

Many of the offerings left at the memorial are anonymous, but Felton sometimes uncovers personal stories behind them.

An essay left by an art teacher at Glen Ridge High in New Jersey provides insight into the life of a 19-year-old helicopter pilot.

The 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, including to the Smithsonian's Museum of American History and the Jersey Explorer Children's Museum.

Gary Pat nosh takes items from the collection into New Jersey schools, emphasizing their personal impact over traditional history lessons.

The collection is a social history, curated by the public, reflecting the importance and sentiments of everyday people.

The public's contributions to the collection, such as letters and personal items, continue to grow, making it an ever-evolving historical record.

The task of cataloging and understanding the 64,000 items in the collection may never be fully completed due to its vast and personal nature.

The collection includes poignant items like tropical combat boots with attached campaign ribbons and inscriptions, symbolizing the personal stories of soldiers.