The Vietnam Memorial

Publication Date: December 1981

Publisher: Heritage Foundation (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Milton R. Copulos

Research Area: Culture and religion; Military and defense

Keywords: Religion

Type: Report

Abstract:

With the enactment July 1, 1980, of Senate Joint Resolution 119, authorizing the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Fund to establish a memorial "...in honor and recognition of the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States who served in Vietnam," it appeared that at long last the U.S. would pay tribute to the 2.7 million Americans who fought in Southeast Asia. Perhaps the most unfortunate aspect of the selection is that rather than fulfilling the goal that "the memorial will begin a healing process, a reconciliation of the grievous divisions wrought by the war," it has added yet another element of controversy to one of the most controversial episodes in our history.