Half a Century Later, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Continues to Honor and Heal

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., known affectionately as 'the Wall,' is a constant focal point for visitors.

The memorial’s black granite panels are inscribed with the names of over 58,000 American service members who died during combat operations across Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos between 1958 and 1975.

Fifty years after the conclusion of the conflict, the site attracts more than five million visitors each year, serving as a place of remembrance and reflection.

To fully grasp the memorial’s design, one stands at the apex of the wall, facing the engraved stones.

The name of the first American casualty appears on the right side. The names proceed in alphabetical order by date of death, moving along the tapered eastern wall. The sequence then wraps around to the far left end of the western wall, continuing until it meets again at the apex.

Names marked with a small diamond signify those whose remains were recovered. In contrast, a small cross denotes those still missing. When missing personnel are found and identified, their crosses are replaced with diamonds.