The Wall of Names - Vietnam Memorial

Moving night view of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with names of 58,318 fallen soldiers engraved in polished black granite. Designed by Maya Lin and dedicated in 1982, the V-shaped wall sinks into the ground like a wound in American soil. In the distance, the illuminated Washington Monument watches over names arranged in chronological order of death. Ground lights create an atmosphere of contemplation while visitors search for names of loved ones, often leaving flowers and mementos. This memorial changed the way war dead are commemorated.

Vietnam Memorial, wall names, Maya Lin, veterans, war dead, black granite, Washington DC