General Discussion

Kennah

(14,578 posts)

8. I do

Sat Dec 2, 2023, 10:26 PM

Dec 2023

I grew up in neighboring Prince George's County, Maryland. I visited a number of times over the years. One could go there darned near any day of the week, any time of day, any time of year, and there will likely be visitors there.

The first time one goes, as you descend, street noise disappears, and there's a quiet, somber feeling that one enters. It is the quiet that one experiences at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

There is a book with the names of everyone on the wall listed alphabetically. I wondered if there was anyone with my last name, so I looked. It was stunning to see my first, middle, and last name. I did not know him, and there is no known relationship. But it was powerful and overwhelming.

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Highlight:

Does anyone here remember the storm of controversy that surrounded the Vietnam War Memorial? [View all] Collimator Dec 2023 OP

I remember it. Her name is Maya Lin. ms liberty Dec 2023 #1

My first visit to the memorial was shattering leftieNanner Dec 2023 #2

A required stop GP6971 Dec 2023 #3

A little bit of it - notice the reflections. Jim__ Dec 2023 #4

The reflections are the point... Wounded Bear Dec 2023 #23

There was a TV movie made about the controversy. John1956PA Dec 2023 #5

One of my high school classmates is on that wall. keithbvadu2 Dec 2023 #6

Six of my school friends are on the wall. Three close friends. One a medic. I have been to the wall twice. usaf-vet Dec 2023 #28

I visited the Wall in October of 1984. ProudMNDemocrat Dec 2023 #7

The names on the exquisite black granite are given dignity and grab you yes. Irish_Dem Dec 2023 #38

I do Kennah Dec 2023 #8

The original concept was for simply a blank wall Tomconroy Dec 2023 #9

The original design contained carved names. dalton99a Dec 2023 #12

No, the competition Lin won stipulated that all the names had to be included. Tanuki Dec 2023 #13

+1. A must read dalton99a Dec 2023 #19

Kick dalton99a Dec 2023 #10

Speaking only for myself, it is singularly most affecting monument in city of truly affecting monuments. Stinky The Clown Dec 2023 #11

I think it is a compliment. See below; A HERETIC I AM Dec 2023 #15

I think it is important to note that the statue nearby, of the 3 soldiers, are looking directly at the memorial.... A HERETIC I AM Dec 2023 #14

The statue is so reflective of the era too. It was all so heartbreaking. Joinfortmill Dec 2023 #26

That piece of art was a compromise... Grins Dec 2023 #30

I visit the online Wall site Duppers Dec 2023 #16

Some of the faces to go with the names LudwigPastorius Dec 2023 #17

I remember it mcar Dec 2023 #18

she broke the mold. til then such monuments minimized the toll. mopinko Dec 2023 #20

This dumb draftee visited it a week after they opened it to the public Brother Buzz Dec 2023 #21

I remember it very well. PoindexterOglethorpe Dec 2023 #22

I've never visited the Wall, I just can't bring myself to do so, Sal_NV Dec 2023 #24

My son is named after one of those on the wall SCantiGOP Dec 2023 #25

I just wrote a post below saying the same kind of thing. Irish_Dem Dec 2023 #34

I certainly remember it. Paladin Dec 2023 #27

The wall, like any piece of art or architecture, will always be loved by some and damned by others. Chainfire Dec 2023 #29

Conservatives HATED IT because it memorialized a war we lost! Grins Dec 2023 #31

The Vietnam Memorial is incredibly moving, which is what art is supposed to do Mysterian Dec 2023 #32

I visited the Viet Nam memorial in DC and was astounded. Irish_Dem Dec 2023 #33

If I had to pick the one element that was most surprising SCantiGOP Dec 2023 #35

Yes exactly. Irish_Dem Dec 2023 #36

+1. I don't know anyone who wasn't moved by it. dalton99a Dec 2023 #37