You do know that the statues you mentioned were not originally planned. They were added later as a testament to those that didn’t fall. That is why they looked shocked and tired, and in pain – they survived and have come to pay homage to their fallen friends. I find the three statues to be very haunting with the starkness of the black wall. Names are still being added to the wall as vets die after years of suffering with disability and pain from wounds received in combat, or as remains are found in the jungle. For being so simple in its design and appearance, I don’t feel any other memorial – shrine – invokes the same feelings. I have seen grown men, big strong tough looking men, break down and weep for brothers and friends. I’ve seen fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers, still weeping for their lost loved ones. I don’t see that at other places, at other memorials.

What is interesting, is the juxtaposition of the Korean War Memorial opposite the Vietnam War Memorial. We have the forgotten war sitting opposite the war we cannot seem to forget. Both invoke similar responses – very somber and powerful – but for different reasons. The wall leaves you with a sense of outrage and loss, whereas the Korean Memorial leaves one with a somber feeling of remorse and pride. These were different wars fought in different times. Yet ruling over both of them, as if keeping watch over court, sits Lincoln in a throne almost.

Very interesting indeed.