The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors U.S. service members who served in the Vietnam War. Its black granite walls bear the names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives during the conflict. Completed in 1982, the Memorial Wall was later joined by the Three Soldiers statue in 1984 and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial in 1993.
Set within Constitution Gardens, just northeast of the Lincoln Memorial, the site is maintained by the National Park Service and draws more than five million visitors each year. The Wall’s striking, minimalist design was created by American architect Maya Lin, born in Ohio in 1959. In 2007, it was ranked tenth on the American Institute of Architects’ “List of America’s Favorite Architecture.” As a national memorial, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
I began photographing the Wall in 2002. At the time, I knew I wanted to take on a long-term photo project but had no clear idea what it would be. One day, I visited the memorial, took a few photographs, and later posted them in an online forum. Soon after, I returned to make more images and shared those as well. A kind stranger replied: “It looks like you’ve found your project.” That simple comment stayed with me.
Over the years, I’ve returned again and again—sometimes during the thunder of motorcycles from Rolling Thunder, other times in the stillness of Veterans Day dawn. More than two decades later, this remains my longest-running body of work. I’ve witnessed the Wall as a place of quiet remembrance and healing—for veterans, families, friends, and strangers alike.
The photographs here reflect that journey, capturing both intimate moments of reflection and the collective gatherings that honor those who served and sacrificed.
I wanted to create a memorial that everyone would be able to respond to, regardless of whether one thought our country should or should not have participated in the war.”
Maya Lin, Designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Sources: National Park Service | U.S. Department of Defense | Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund | Wikipedia | Rolling to Remember