Veteran’s Day: Highlighting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
DELMARVA – This Friday, we honor veterans, those who actively and served our country in the past.
In Berlin, community members held a discussion about the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. Community members tell me this is a beautiful piece of art that sits in Washington D.C. The piece makes it possible to shed light on a gruesome and controversial event that we can still learn from today.
“Art does have the power to transform people,” says Nancy Mitchell, Salisbury Poet Laureate.
Friday community members gathered to discuss the story of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. which one veteran describes as “For most of the time an unpopular war at home, but men and women did go serve their country in something that even those who went were not wholehearted supporters of,” says Veteran Harry Basehart.
A memorial that architects say looks so iconic yet simple. “Maya Lin is a professed minimalist but even her designs are just one stroke. It’s a broad stroke that just shows the black wall and the green ground, as a cut in the earth,” says Architect Foley.
Officials say this piece of art is much more than a wall with names. “It’s really important to remember that no matter what controversies surround us at a certain time, it is the truth that prevails, and the truth this monument testified to the Vietnam veterans,” says Mitchell. “Recognize there are families who sacrificed just as the veterans did when they were away from home, maybe in a war, maybe not in a war but the sacrifice involved,” says Dr. Basehart.
The veteran says war can be gruesome, but he’s grateful to have been able to serve this country. “I’m glad I did my service. I’m grateful for the friends I met while I was there, I think it was unfortunate involvement that we were in and I think we did learn,” says Dr. Basehart.
The book that the group discussed is A Rift in the Earth by James Reston, a veteran himself. The book highlights how the memorial was developed by the artist Maya Lin. The Berlin library does have copies of the book available for you to check out. If you’d like to visit the memorial – it is in Washington D.C.
Veterans thank you for your service.
