Thursday, March 28, 2024 Mar 28, 2024
70° F Dallas, TX
Advertisement
Publications

IN MEMORIUM, TEXAS VIETNAM VETS

By Eric Miller |

With little fanfare or controversy, construction of the $2.5 million memorial for Texas’ Vietnam veterans will begin soon in Fair Park. Dedicated to the more than 3,000 Texans killed in the Vietnam War, the memorial will be situated across from the State Fair Music Hall alongside the Esplanade of Texas. The project is scheduled for dedication on Veterans Day. 1986.

Encompassing 12,000 square feet and surrounded by two acres of landscaped grounds, the memorial itself will be constructed of Texas granite and will feature a waterfall and reflecting pool reminiscent of a Southeast Asian rice paddy. Four tablets will bear the names of the 3,249 Texans killed in action. An eternal flame will burn beside the tablet carrying the names of the 162 Texans who remain officially listed as missing in action. The memorial will also feature a covered area designed especially for the 450,000 living Texas Vietnam veterans who wish to reflect.

Since first organizing as a non-profit foundation in 1981, officials with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund of Texas have raised about $1.3 million in donations to build the memorial, says president Neal Pointer, a Dallas advertising executive. Much of the money has come from veteran organizations like the American Legion. Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

“I can see the wounds that still exist from the war,” says Rointer. “This will be tremendously helpful in the healing of those wounds. It’s a living memorial and will especially help our living Vietnam vets. After spending some time there, we hope a person will leave feeling a little better.”

Related Articles

Image
Basketball

Kyrie and Luka: A Love Story

It didn't work last season, but the dynamic duo this year is showing us something special.
Image
Politics & Government

Q&A: Senate Hopeful Colin Allred Says November Election Is ‘Larger Than Our Own Problems’

The congressman has experience beating an entrenched and well-funded incumbent. Will that translate to a statewide win for the Democrats for the first time since 1994?
Advertisement