Purpose of The Vietnam Veterans Memorial The Vietnam Veterans Memorial has not only proven its innate power to connect the soul of the living with the souls of the dead, it also reflects the changes those have fought for over the years. In the beginning when the idea of having a memorial was suggested by Jan Shurggs, a Vietnam Veteran and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, many were opposed to it. Eventually the …showed first 75 words of 790 total…

…showed last 75 words of 790 total…reconizing the human cost of war. The memorial has transcended its role as a national symbol of reconciliation and has evolved into an international emblem of peace and healing, offering itself as a living history lesson for all. More than 40 million visitors have come to The Wall since its dedication in 1982. It became a silent remembrance of those who participated in the war as well as for those whose lives were impacted by the war.