Objects left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that have no direct connection to a Vietnam veteran or to the Vietnam War would not be added to the memorial's permanent collection under a proposal being considered by the National Park Service.
"By refining the scope of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection, we can ensure that our energy and resources will preserve items with a direct and specific relationship to veterans of the Vietnam War," said Gay Vietzke, superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection includes more than 400,000 objects left at the memorial since its dedication in 1982. Developed with assistance from museum professionals and Vietnam veterans, the proposed changes specify that the National Park Service would only keep personal artifacts of those soldiers whose names appear on the memorial; Vietnam War military service items, and; protest, activism, and advocacy materials related to the war.
In addition to items left at the wall, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Collection will also include elements related to the architecture of the memorial, such as the mold and casts for the Three Servicemen statue and test panels of the memorial used for corrosion studies, and archival materials related to the planning, design, construction and preservation of the memorial.
Tribute items with no direct connection to the Vietnam War or a Vietnam veteran, which today make up the majority of items left at the memorial, will no longer be retained under the proposal that is open for public comment through March 10. Additional items that would not be part of the permanent collection include mass-produced, impersonal items, such as patches and reproduction dog tags, perishable items or any others likely to deteriorate over time, objects that pose a safety hazard, and items relating to social or political movements or wars other than the Vietnam War. In cases where a large sample of a particular type of item already exists in the collection, only a representative sample will be retained.
A full copy of the draft Vietnam Veterans Memorial Scope of Collection Statement is available here. Comments can be left on this page.
Comments may also be submitted in writing to:
Gay Vietzke, Superintendent
National Mall and Memorial Parks
Attn: Vietnam Veterans Memorial SOCS
900 Ohio Drive SW
Washington, DC 20024
Comments must be entered into the website or postmarked by March 10, 2016 to receive consideration.
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Comments
my dads name is on the Wall. It is extremely important for me and my family to leave items in his memory. It also is important to me to see the other momentous left. It reminds me that my father and the other men on this wall are being remembered. I am against disgarding any item left at the Wall. The VVM is a powerful monument that has meaning reaching far past the US. I feel it's not appropriate for an outside party to decide the importance of an item. Most items left have a very private message. It's not for anyone else to decide their importance.
Well stated. I agree.
I agree, every item left, with very few exceptions, has meaning to the person leaving at the name of their loved one...
All items left at The Wall have a meaning for those who left it there. To have someone arbitrarily decide what is to be kept and what is discarded is an affront to all that gave the ultimate sacriface and to those who served, are serving, and will serve this Nation. I have had family members since the Revolution to present day conflicts and it is degrading to them and me, to even think that this is ok to do to the memories of the Fallen and their families.
As a Vietnam War Veteran, I feel it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT to preserve ALL OF THE ITEMS left at the Wall! It is the history of those who went; of those of us who came back, those who did not, and those we left behind. To have some arbitrary person or group decide what should stay and what should go is UNCONSCIONABLE! Just about all of the items left are done so with reverence and respect. We are best served by keeping all of the momentoes left at the wall as they are part of the history of the war.
PLEASE REMEMBER...
NOT EVERYONE WHO LOST HIS LIFE IN VIETNAM DIED THERE, NOT EVERYONE WHO CAME HOME FROM VIETNAM EVER LEFT THERE.
As others have stated, items left have a very personal meaning for those who have left them. They should be preserved.
Are items such as; chewing gum wrappers and other "trash" being kept ? Perhaps items left could be identified by a small form supplied by the Park Service, at the Site. The container for these forms would have to be constantly monitored to make sure they are ALWAYS available.
l believe, that all items left should be monitored. Nothing is removed "arbitrarely". Obviously, if left to pile up, the wall would eventually be covered. At least, in part. l am also a veteran and l have a deep feeling for the monument and it's meaning. l wish it to be kept clean and beautiful for those who come to remember. Dead plants and phony dog tags, teddy bears and more are not a part of keeping the respectful appearence of ourmonument. l understand these items, left there, are a significent personal meaning, to you. But, remember, it is only personal to you. All items, of relevence, will be saved and cared for in the museum. Decayed plants and flowers,soggy/moldy stuffed animals and other detritous should be cleaned up. Simply think about what you leave and be considerate to others and their feelings. Respect should be first priority.
If its not about the wall or the Vietnam war it shouldn't be part of the The Vietnam collection
Being a volunteer at the wall I know there will be no way to tell if there is a connection or not. There are some thing that are left only the loved ones know the meaning of. Being selective would be a huge mistake and a discredit to those who served..