“It is our goal to ensure that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site remains a beautiful place of reflection and remembrance.”  - Jan Scruggs, President of VVMF

Introduction: Since its dedication in 1982, the Memorial has been viewed by over eighty million people, making it one of the most visited memorials on the National Mall. Many of our visitors are Vietnam veterans who travel to The Wall to remember and honor the people they served with. Thanks to the generous financial support of people like you, the Memorial remains a loving tribute of hope and remembrance, which will continue for years to come.

Unfortunately, age has taken its toll on some of the components of the Memorial. The Three Servicemen statue that used to greet visitors with pride is now showing its age, with large spots of green tarnish developing, especially on the soldiers’ arms, weapons and noses.

Other areas of the Memorial site also needed care as well, including the flagpole and base, which needed polishing and refinishing. Our directory and directory stands greet visitors with ripped pages and moldy glass, and we still have areas of unsightly bald patches of lawns at The Wall and on the future site of The Education Center.

As an organization, we have already committed ourselves to renovating our Memorial site. We believe it is our duty to make sure it remains a fitting tribute to the men and women who served in the Vietnam War.  Renovations to the lawns, flagpole and base, and directory stands are already done or well under way, but we need your help to continue these important preservation efforts and put new ones forward, most notably the Three Servicemen statue and stocking replacement granite for future repairs to The Wall. 

Please consider supporting one or more of these important projects by making a donation today.

 

 

Three Servicemen Statue:
The Three Servicemen statue, representing the faces of our service members, is in dire need of repair. Close examination shows that parts of the bronze statue are beginning to show irreversible wear and tear and have turned green over time, both of which ruin the appearance of these three proud service members and thwarts the artist’s original intent. To repair this important piece, we are already working with metal and art experts to restore the statue to its original patina. They are giving input on how best to care for our statue to maintain it for years to come, which is an extensive and costly undertaking.

Flagpole and Base: 
The flagpole and base are located at the entrance plaza of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, proudly displaying the American and POW/MIA flags. The base of the flagpole, with the seals of the five branches of the military services, is well known in Washington for its unique role in engaging visitors. We have completed the work, but need help in paying for the repairs. Millions of visitors to The Wall utilize lighted stands with books to help find names and their locations on the Memorial. There are five of them on the site. The photo below shows their previous condition. Like the statue, flagpole and base, the bronze base of the directory stands needed to be cleaned and refinished. Also, the specially designed glass protecting the books from inclement weather developed mold and needed to be replaced. In addition, the Directory of Names, the book which helps visitors find a particular name on The Wall, is reprinted as needed to accommodate new names inscribed on the Memorial and to correct errors which have been discovered.  VVMF has found a contractor to laminate our books, giving them a life span of two years as opposed to two weeks for the paper directories.  The  process for making these changes was expensive and labor intensive, as was the process of laminating the books and installing them in the stands on-site. 

Directory Stands and Directory of Names:
Millions of visitors to The Wall utilize lighted stands with books to help find names and their locations on the Memorial. There are five of them on the site. The photo below shows their previous condition. Like the statue, flagpole and base, the bronze base of the directory stands needed to be cleaned and refinished. Also, the specially designed glass protecting the books from inclement weather developed mold and needed to be replaced. In addition, the Directory of Names, the book which helps visitors find a particular name on The Wall, is reprinted as needed to accommodate new names inscribed on the Memorial and to correct errors which have been discovered.  VVMF has found a contractor to laminate our books, giving them a life span of two years as opposed to two weeks for the paper directories.  The  process for making these changes was expensive and labor intensive, as was the process of laminating the books and installing them in the stands on-site.

Maintenance of 13.5 acres of lawn at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial:
In addition to renovations to outstanding structures, VVMF is also committed to maintaining its lawns in a way that enhances the beauty and serenity of the site. VVMF has repaired the existing sprinkler system, is committed to watering areas outside of the sprinklers and has aerated and provided weed and other treatments as needed. New sod has also been laid in some areas. With your support, we can continue these efforts to beautify our part of the National Mall for the next five years.

Granite Replacement: 
VVMF has enough granite to replace eight panels on the Memorial should they become damaged. We are seeking funds to obtain enough granite to replace the  entire Memorial if necessary. The granite is quarried in Bangalore, India, and we have visited the quarry and will have American geologists inspect the granite before it is purchased.   This is a vital part of the process.   We wish to prepare ourselves to renovate the memorial at a moment’s a moment’s notice in the event of a catastrophe or should smaller repairs come up due to normal wear and tear of what is known as The Wall.

BUDGET: 
VVMF is seeking $305,000 to commence immediate restoration projects, an additional $500,000 for granite, as well as $250,000 over five years to address on-going maintenance projects necessary to preserve the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site for years to come. * 
 

  • Three Servicemen statue, Flagpole and Directory Stands - $150,000
  • Directory of Names - $10,000
  • Irrigation System - $45,000 to repair current system 
  • Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance - $100,000 for immediate fertilization, aeration, tilling, seeding, sod and watering and $50,000 each year for 5 years following
  • Granite Replacement - $500,000

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a symbol of America’s honor and recognition of the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War. Inscribed on the black granite walls are the names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives or remain missing. Yet the Memorial itself is dedicated to honoring the courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty and country of all who answered the call to serve during the longest war in U.S. history. We hope we can count on your generous support with these important projects to ensure that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is continuously maintained in a manner befitting our nation’s tribute to those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War.


*Amounts and figures may change as projects get underway.
 

 
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    The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund takes our stewardship of your donations seriously. The programs we fund are designed to help us achieve our mission of preserving the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War.