Connection: Vietnam Memorial

It was the summer after sophomore year that I went and visited family in Washington D.C. On a beautiful day we decided to bike around to all the different monuments and sites on The Mall. At the time the Vietnam Memorial meant nothing because I did not have any background information on the war or the process of making the monument.

If I was to go back today, I would know the symbolism behind the blank slab of concrete carved down into the ground and representation of overcoming death. I would have learned from my U.S. History class the conditions of the Vietnam War and how terrible it was. My Aunt was trying to explain the haunting, sad feeling you get from walking past the wall as she was tearing up but I just did not understand the significance. I can now feel the emotions that Maya Lin was going through trying to create this sculpture and have so many people bash it. Even though I do not know anyone on the wall I can still feel the impact and hate for the war and the sadness behind the deaths and the symbolism of overcoming your loss as you walk down and back up the wall. I am excited to now go to the wall and fully understand the concept and emotions and not reject the beauty of the Memorial.