The Vietnam Veterans Memorial hosts several annual ceremonies at The Wall.
Visitors may want to plan their visits to coincide with these events. On
Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the Memorial hosts famous Americans, who make
speeches or sing or play music in honor of all veterans who served in the Armed
Forces.
On Mothers’ Day, the mothers who sent their children into battle and waited
for their return, which for many did not happen, are honored. Teachers and
students are asked to make Mother’s Day cards which are read by many of the
mothers in attendance at the ceremony and then are left as offerings at the
wall.
On Father’s day, volunteers help sons and daughters of those whose names are
on The Wall, affix 1,000 long-stemmed red and yellow roses with attached
messages sent from all over the country in front of The Wall. The red ones
symbolize those killed in action and the yellow signify those still missing.
Each message is read aloud and the rose is touched to the name on The Wall
which it is honoring.
In Memory Day, celebrated on the third Monday in April, is part of the In
Memory Program which seeks to recognize and commemorate the struggles and
hardships all service members and their loved ones experience as a result of
service in the American Armed Services, especially during time of war.
During the winter holidays, a Holiday Tree is set up at the vertex of The
Wall and is decorated with holiday greetings sent to the Memorial every holiday
season.
A visit to The Wall is an unforgettable experience for any American, but
because the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund organizers know that it is not
feasible for everyone to make the trip to Washington
DC, they have devised two alternate ways to
experience The Wall, close to home.