This is one of the most famous memorials in the world and caused a stir when it was unveiled in 1982 because of its unusual, but beautiful design; it receives around 3 million visitors a year. It is made of black polished granite in a large V shape and has the names of over 58,000 soldiers carved into it. It is a very calm place and undeniably emotive even if you were born after the Vietnamese conflict. The other parts of the memorial are comprised of a statue named The Three Soldiers, featuring a White American, Black American and Hispanic American, this statue is close to the main memorial without imposing upon it. South of the wall there is also the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, which is another bronze statue dedicated to the women who served as nurses during the Vietnam War. Although there are some wide open spaces and shading trees, there is little else for children, so this is more popular with adults and those coming to remember soldiers lost. The memorial is situated in Constitution Gardens and is also home to the famous Reflection Pools, the most famous of which is that east of the Lincoln Memorial often seen in photographs of the Washington Monument. These gardens also play host to a healthy population of grey squirrels. The gardens are quite safe and are open until midnight most nights.

Written by  Vikkie Chapman.

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