Vietnam Veterans Memorial Meaning

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George Patton once said, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” War memorials create an atmosphere of anguish and grief to those whom they affect the most. However, many could argue the harmful effects it does establish, due to the misinterpretations of its sense of celebration rather than its meaning of remembrance. A man by the name of Jan Scruggs stood for what he believed to be his urgent desire to express his issue of remembrance through the works of a public art. This was reflected by his “public feeling”, the countless memories of his comrade’s heroism and determination through the Vietnam War. Jan Scruggs, a Vietnam Veteran, launched a fund that would hopefully raise enough …show more content…
Maya Lin’s concept to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was based off of protecting both meaning and symbolism, within a protected area. As a result, “She wanted to create a park within a park.” The glistening granite, was purposely created in order to contrast a reflection of the surrounding area of the park. This image gave off a sense of unity the fallen soldiers had left us with. As the wall stretches in both directions, its draws the attention of both the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. Mary Lin’s concept of the memorial was the core of her personality, which evidently allowed many other future designers become inspired by her piece of memorable public …show more content…
The endless amount of comments on the memorials flaws and dislikes were brought up to the attention of the U.S. Commission of Fine Art. The commenters stated that the wall requires a large heroic sculpture and an enormous flag positioned in the center of the memorial. Finally, after the U.S. Commission of Fine Art varied its decision, a compromise was designed for the situation. The final say was that the wall would require no statue nor heroic art, but the notorious American Flag standing tall in the center of the memorial. Mistakably, the opening brought more cries and tears, as a memorial should, rather than
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