Modern technology has even enabled people to experience The Wall online in
the privacy of their own homes. The Virtual Wall was launched in 1998 and it
includes all of the names that are inscribed in the actual Wall. Visitors can
search for people they knew by name, or state, or city of record. When the name
is located electronically, visitors can view the name on the Virtual Wall,
where names appear in exactly the same spot as on the actual Wall. Also, on the
Virtual Wall, visitors can view the person’s profile, which gives basic
information about them such as birth and death date, location of casualty,
military branch, rank, etc. Visitors can even print a rubbing of a name from
the electronic Wall.
The most exciting part about visiting the Virtual Wall is being able to post
remembrances. Anyone can post an electronic remembrance to a name on The Wall.
The remembrances can be in text or audio form and can even include pictures. In
2001, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, in partnership with Kinko’s, set out
to start collecting and posting photos of the 58,245 men and women on The Wall.
To date more than 50,000 photos and remembrances have been posted to the
website. Posting a remembrance is free and can be done via the Internet or they
can be sent by traditional mail to the Memorial Fund to post.
Whether or not you knew someone who served in Vietnam
or died in Vietnam,
a visit to The Wall is an experience you will never forget. It is painful and
beautiful at the same time. We, as Americans, have a duty and a responsibility
to honor and remember those who served for us. Find a way to visit The Wall in Washington,
or in your community or online. You will be different because you did.