Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park, Angel Fire, NM

With our nation celebrating Memorial Day this past week, a friend asked if we had plans for this special day. I thought back to Memorial Days when I was a child.
  It was a time when we cut fresh roses from our spring-blooming heirloom plant and took them to the cemetery to place on family graves.  It was a remembrance time of loved ones no longer with us.  My childhood memories are these visits are still quite vivid and humbling.

Memorial Day began as a day to remember/honor those we lost in combat during wars, beginning with our Civil War in the mid-1800s.  Since then family and friends from other wars/conflicts are also remembered.  For my generation the Vietnam “conflict” resulted in the loss of many of our classmates; many still in their late teens or early 20s.  

When we first drove toward Angel Fire, NM, for our week in the mountains and visits to Taos, we drove past the Vietnam Veterans Memorial SP.  Gary had heard about it (being from NM), but I hadn’t.  We made an immediate decision to include this SP on our lists of places to see while here.  

Here’s a little history on this Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  It is the first and only state park in our nation dedicated exclusively to Vietnam veterans. It was also our first major Vietnam memorial, and helped inspire establishment of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC in 1982.

The park here was started as a memorial chapel built by Victor (Doc) and Jeanne Westphall, to honor their son.  1^st Lt. David Westphall was killed during an ambush in Vietnam in 1968. 

Portion of interior in chapel

Exterior of Chapel

In 1971, the completed Peace and Brotherhood Chapel honored the casualties of that ambush.  Doc Westphall also established a foundation to help support the chapel. 

Over time, other organizations were involved.  In 1982, the Disabled American Veterans assumed ownership and built a 6000 square foot Visitors Center (completed in 1986). Bricks along walkways in the park commemorate all veterans.

State, US, and KIA/MIA flags in front of Visitors Center

In 2005, New Mexico established this as a State Park and the center was completely renovated in 2009-2010.

This center is a “must see”.  The information on the Vietnam era is extensive, with materials used by the troops, including a Huey on the grounds. Also, a research library is available within the center.

Message here is not unique to Vietnam 

Collections of equipment, much seeming a bit primitive in today’s cyber-world, provide real information. And, also the soldier’s world becomes a reality as his words are presented - both handwritten or spoken in amateur films. [A side note – most, if not all, combat zones were covered by male soldiers during this time.]

The film was riveting - raw - showing good and bad times

An impressive amphitheater, constructed on the site in 2007, hosts many special ceremonies.

What can we say about this visit? Its all somewhat overwhelming, but also difficult to turn away from!  And, at the end of our visit, we were re-enforced with the importance of Memorial Day.