Military: Vietnam War
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial serves as a testament to the sacrifice of American military personnel during one of this nation's least popular wars.
By erecting this memorial, it was hoped that the issue of the veterans and their sacrifice could be separated from the U.S. policy in the war, thereby creating a venue for reconciliation.
Congress authorized the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1980, stating that it would be located prominently on the National Mall on two acres of Constitution Gardens.