"The Wall That Heals," a mobile exhibit of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be on the OSU campus this week. The exhibit opens on April 18 and closes at 3 p.m. on April 21. The Wall will be located on the intramural athletic fields west of the Colvin Center. This is a great opportunity to learn how the Vietnam War impacted America and to give respect to the fallen soldiers.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located in Washington, D.C. at the National Mall. Veteran Jan C. Scruggs felt the need to memorialize the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. Scruggs and a group of veterans brought their concerns to Congress, and in 1980, Congress authorized the building of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The memorial is located north of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall. On its website, the National Park Service states that the "memorial includes the names of over 58,000 servicemen and women who gave their lives in service in the Vietnam Conflict. The memorial includes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial "Wall," the "Three Servicemen Statue" and the "Vietnam Women's Memorial." The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is a non-profit organization that has a vision to "ensure a society in which all who have served and sacrificed in our nation's Armed Forces are properly honored and receive the recognition they deserve." The organization seeks to educate individuals about the impact of the Vietnam War. The VVMF partners with the National Park Service (NPS) to maintain and preserve the physical appearance of the memorial. The organization inscribes new names and updates status changes with the help of volunteers. Each one of the 58,000 names on the wall has a collection of photos and stories on the VVMF website. About 5.6 million individuals visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial annually, and many leave items at the wall. These items are collected and preserved by the NPS and added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection. In 1996 the VVMF created the "Wall That Heals," a mobile exhibit "that features a three-quarter scale replica of the wall in Washington, D.C. The exhibit travels across the country to educate communities about the sacrifices made during the Vietnam War.
The Wall That Heals Exhibit
I had the absolute pleasure of attending the opening ceremony for the Wall That Heals on April 18th. Veterans crowded into seats and stood at ready attention. Many wore baseball caps or vests that signaled in which war they had served. The ceremony started with the OSU Pipes and Drums walking down the aisle. The Color Guard followed next, and Miss Claire Grace sang the National Anthem.
Rick Hansen, the coordinator of the office of Veteran Student Academic Services, was a key figure in orchestrating the Wall and ceremony. Hansen introduced President Burns Hargis who was the honored guest. Hargis was in the Oklahoma State University ROTC where he was later elected into the ROTC Hall of Fame. Next, guest speaker Marine Captain Jim Horn gave a speech detailing the atrocities of the Vietnam War. Horn was born in Stillwater, OK and graduated from OSU with a degree in psychology. After graduation, Horn served two tours in the Vietnam War as a platoon leader. He earned a Silver Star, a Purple Heart and two Navy Commendation Medals with Combat "V" device. After his time in the Marines, Horn worked as a FBI agent.
Hearing Horn detail the Vietnam War was a sobering experience. He read detailed accounts of what he and his fellow soldiers had to experience to guarantee freedom for our nation. Horn explained that a soldier served about 40 days of actual combat during the four years of World War II, compared to the Vietnam veterans who saw combat about 240 days in one year. In addition, two-thirds of the Vietnam veterans were volunteers compared to the two-thirds that were drafted for World War II. These facts helped me to understand the harsh reality these soldiers had endured. As Horn continued his speech, the veterans behind me were quietly agreeing and humming their understanding. These soldiers are bonded by the difficulties they faced overseas, serving with friends and seeing them die in war.
After Horn concluded his speech, eight wreaths were placed on stands to honor different service members. After the wreaths were recognized and honored, the ceremony was closed with the OSU Pipes and Drums.
It was a phenomenal experience to walk along the Wall and see the 58,000 names inscribed on the granite. Veterans walked up and down that Wall, paying their respects to those who served alongside them. In addition to the replica wall, there was also a mobile education center to educate the public about the Vietnam War.
Being surrounded by so many men and women who had served our country was a humbling experience. It was surreal to listen to these soldiers' accounts and to be able to honor them. I want to give a special thanks to the Student Veteran Academic Services who worked with the Vietnam Memorial Fund to bring the Wall and mobile education center to Stillwater.
Fallen Soldiers of the Vietnam War From Stillwater, OK
William Scott Cutter was a First Lieutenant and helicopter pilot in the Army of the United States. Cutter graduated from OSU and went through the school's ROTC program. He departed for the Quang Tin Province of South Vietnam on October 14, 1967. Scott died at the age of 24 on December 3, 1967, about two months after arriving in Vietnam. According to the Virtual Wall website, Cutter "was conducting an armed reconnaissance mission" when his helicopter "was hit by automatic weapons fire, crashed and burned." You can find his name inscribed on the Wall on panel 31E, Line 28.
Michael Bruce Fuller was a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. He departed for the Quang Tin Province of South Vietnam on October 21, 1967. He died at the age of 21 on June 9, 1968. The Virtual Wall website states that Fuller died "due to a ground casualty by artillery, rocket, or mortar." you can find Fuller's name inscribed on panel W58, Line 8.
The American War Library website details a list of those who died in the Vietnam War from 1945 to 1975. Oklahoma had a total number of 988 casualties and had the fourth highest deaths per 100,000 population in the United States.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located in Washington, D.C. at the National Mall. Veteran Jan C. Scruggs felt the need to memorialize the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. Scruggs and a group of veterans brought their concerns to Congress, and in 1980, Congress authorized the building of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The memorial is located north of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall. On its website, the National Park Service states that the "memorial includes the names of over 58,000 servicemen and women who gave their lives in service in the Vietnam Conflict. The memorial includes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial "Wall," the "Three Servicemen Statue" and the "Vietnam Women's Memorial." The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is a non-profit organization that has a vision to "ensure a society in which all who have served and sacrificed in our nation's Armed Forces are properly honored and receive the recognition they deserve." The organization seeks to educate individuals about the impact of the Vietnam War. The VVMF partners with the National Park Service (NPS) to maintain and preserve the physical appearance of the memorial. The organization inscribes new names and updates status changes with the help of volunteers. Each one of the 58,000 names on the wall has a collection of photos and stories on the VVMF website. About 5.6 million individuals visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial annually, and many leave items at the wall. These items are collected and preserved by the NPS and added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection. In 1996 the VVMF created the "Wall That Heals," a mobile exhibit "that features a three-quarter scale replica of the wall in Washington, D.C. The exhibit travels across the country to educate communities about the sacrifices made during the Vietnam War.
 |
| The Vietnam Veterans Memorial at night Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs |
I had the absolute pleasure of attending the opening ceremony for the Wall That Heals on April 18th. Veterans crowded into seats and stood at ready attention. Many wore baseball caps or vests that signaled in which war they had served. The ceremony started with the OSU Pipes and Drums walking down the aisle. The Color Guard followed next, and Miss Claire Grace sang the National Anthem.
Rick Hansen, the coordinator of the office of Veteran Student Academic Services, was a key figure in orchestrating the Wall and ceremony. Hansen introduced President Burns Hargis who was the honored guest. Hargis was in the Oklahoma State University ROTC where he was later elected into the ROTC Hall of Fame. Next, guest speaker Marine Captain Jim Horn gave a speech detailing the atrocities of the Vietnam War. Horn was born in Stillwater, OK and graduated from OSU with a degree in psychology. After graduation, Horn served two tours in the Vietnam War as a platoon leader. He earned a Silver Star, a Purple Heart and two Navy Commendation Medals with Combat "V" device. After his time in the Marines, Horn worked as a FBI agent.
Hearing Horn detail the Vietnam War was a sobering experience. He read detailed accounts of what he and his fellow soldiers had to experience to guarantee freedom for our nation. Horn explained that a soldier served about 40 days of actual combat during the four years of World War II, compared to the Vietnam veterans who saw combat about 240 days in one year. In addition, two-thirds of the Vietnam veterans were volunteers compared to the two-thirds that were drafted for World War II. These facts helped me to understand the harsh reality these soldiers had endured. As Horn continued his speech, the veterans behind me were quietly agreeing and humming their understanding. These soldiers are bonded by the difficulties they faced overseas, serving with friends and seeing them die in war.
After Horn concluded his speech, eight wreaths were placed on stands to honor different service members. After the wreaths were recognized and honored, the ceremony was closed with the OSU Pipes and Drums.
It was a phenomenal experience to walk along the Wall and see the 58,000 names inscribed on the granite. Veterans walked up and down that Wall, paying their respects to those who served alongside them. In addition to the replica wall, there was also a mobile education center to educate the public about the Vietnam War.
Being surrounded by so many men and women who had served our country was a humbling experience. It was surreal to listen to these soldiers' accounts and to be able to honor them. I want to give a special thanks to the Student Veteran Academic Services who worked with the Vietnam Memorial Fund to bring the Wall and mobile education center to Stillwater.
Fallen Soldiers of the Vietnam War From Stillwater, OK
William Scott Cutter was a First Lieutenant and helicopter pilot in the Army of the United States. Cutter graduated from OSU and went through the school's ROTC program. He departed for the Quang Tin Province of South Vietnam on October 14, 1967. Scott died at the age of 24 on December 3, 1967, about two months after arriving in Vietnam. According to the Virtual Wall website, Cutter "was conducting an armed reconnaissance mission" when his helicopter "was hit by automatic weapons fire, crashed and burned." You can find his name inscribed on the Wall on panel 31E, Line 28.
Michael Bruce Fuller was a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. He departed for the Quang Tin Province of South Vietnam on October 21, 1967. He died at the age of 21 on June 9, 1968. The Virtual Wall website states that Fuller died "due to a ground casualty by artillery, rocket, or mortar." you can find Fuller's name inscribed on panel W58, Line 8.
The American War Library website details a list of those who died in the Vietnam War from 1945 to 1975. Oklahoma had a total number of 988 casualties and had the fourth highest deaths per 100,000 population in the United States.
 |
| I was able to locate Cutter's and Fuller's name on the Wall. |
National Memorials
Washington, D.C. has many memorials dedicated to those who have shaped America, from past presidents to soldiers who bravely served their country. The National Park Service provides information about the following memorials: World War II Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, etc. According to the Park Service, the World War II Memorial was constructed to "honor 16 million members of the Armed Forces of the United States" and the "sacrifice 405,399 Americans made" to serve their country. The Washington Monument was built to commemorate the first president of the United States- George Washington. The Lincoln Memorial was built to honor the slain 16th president after Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865.
American Battle Monuments Commission
The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) is another agency whose mission is to honor and remember those who have dedicated their lives to our country. The AMBC is an agency of the executive branch that "operates and maintains 26 permanent American military cemeteries and 30 federal memorial, monuments, and markers." The American Battle Monuments Commission states that after World War I "Congress recognized that need for federal control over the commemoration of American armed forces overseas." President Warren Harding passed legislation on March 4, 1923, establishing the ABMC. Most of these monuments are dedicated to the soldiers in World War I and World War II, with 17 monuments located in foreign countries. The ABMC also recognizes those that were missing in action from WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. You can explore the burials and cemeteries to discover when it was dedicated, where the memorial is, how many are buried there, and those that are missing in action.
https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/46876/national-vietnam-war-veterans-day-second-list-activities/
Washington Monument. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress
https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2014/05/a-reopened-washington-monument-pics-of-the-week/
Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Photo courtesy of U.S. Dept. of Defense
https://www.defense.gov/observe/photo-gallery/igphoto/2002056759/
Lincoln Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service
https://www.nps.gov/nama/learn/news/lincolnbirthday2019.htm
Cemeteries and Memorials. Courtesy of the American Battle Monuments Commission
https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials
~Emily Hancz
Washington, D.C. has many memorials dedicated to those who have shaped America, from past presidents to soldiers who bravely served their country. The National Park Service provides information about the following memorials: World War II Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, etc. According to the Park Service, the World War II Memorial was constructed to "honor 16 million members of the Armed Forces of the United States" and the "sacrifice 405,399 Americans made" to serve their country. The Washington Monument was built to commemorate the first president of the United States- George Washington. The Lincoln Memorial was built to honor the slain 16th president after Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865.
 |
| Left picture: Washington Monument. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress Top right picture: Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Photo courtesy of U.S. Dept. of Defense Bottom right picture: Lincoln Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service |
American Battle Monuments Commission
The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) is another agency whose mission is to honor and remember those who have dedicated their lives to our country. The AMBC is an agency of the executive branch that "operates and maintains 26 permanent American military cemeteries and 30 federal memorial, monuments, and markers." The American Battle Monuments Commission states that after World War I "Congress recognized that need for federal control over the commemoration of American armed forces overseas." President Warren Harding passed legislation on March 4, 1923, establishing the ABMC. Most of these monuments are dedicated to the soldiers in World War I and World War II, with 17 monuments located in foreign countries. The ABMC also recognizes those that were missing in action from WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. You can explore the burials and cemeteries to discover when it was dedicated, where the memorial is, how many are buried there, and those that are missing in action.
 |
| Top Left: Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France Top Right: Montsec American Monument in France Bottom Left: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Italy Bottom Right: Luxembourg American Cemetery in Luxembourg Photos courtesy of the American Battle Monuments Commission |
For Additional Information:
The OSU Library has the following research materials available on the Vietnam War. See also the online sources.
Books
U.S. Army in Vietnam, EDE18 HI9 U575
Vietnam Studies, EDE17 V667
Vietnam, 1964-1973 : an American Dilemma
EDE11 AI11 B582 SP no. 80 and no. 104
EDE11 AI11 B582 SP no. 80 and no. 104
Indexes
Cumulative Subject Index to the Monthly Catalog
U.S. Congressional Serial Set Index, 1959-1969
U.S. Congressional Hearings Index 1959-1964
Online
Vietnam Studies, Center for Military History
https://history.army.mil/html/
https://history.army.mil/html/
Pentagon Papers
https://www.archives.gov/
https://www.archives.gov/
Vietnam War, National Archives
https://www.archives.gov/
Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairshttps://www.archives.gov/
https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/46876/national-vietnam-war-veterans-day-second-list-activities/
Washington Monument. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress
https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2014/05/a-reopened-washington-monument-pics-of-the-week/
Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Photo courtesy of U.S. Dept. of Defense
https://www.defense.gov/observe/photo-gallery/igphoto/2002056759/
Lincoln Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service
https://www.nps.gov/nama/learn/news/lincolnbirthday2019.htm
Cemeteries and Memorials. Courtesy of the American Battle Monuments Commission
https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials
~Emily Hancz
Comments