Vietnam Veterans Memorial

This profound memorial features two walls of polished black granite etched with the names of the U.S. soldiers who died in service during the Vietnam War or who were unaccounted for when the wall was constructed in 1982. There are more than 58,000 names on the wall in all. The wall draws a powerful emotional response from visitors, who often leave notes and gifts by the names of loved ones. Rangers collect these offerings daily and place in them an archive. In addition to offering a place to grieve, the wall reminds all visitors of the tragic consequences of the Vietnam War for many Americans and their families.