Home > Vietnam Women’s Memorial Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Thousands Expected for Four-Day Veterans Day Weekend
Celebration
Washington, D.C., Oct. 17, 2003—This Veteran’s Day,
Nov. 11, 2003, marks the 10th anniversary of the
historic dedication of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial on
the Mall in Washington, D.C. The Vietnam Women’s
Memorial Foundation, Inc., (formerly "Project") will
commemorate the day with a host of events for women and
men veterans of the Vietnam era, their families, friends
and the general public.
According to Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation (VWMF)
Founder and President, Diane Carlson Evans, R.N.,
thousands of women veterans are expected in Washington,
D.C., to join in the four-day Veterans Day weekend
celebration Nov. 8-11. The anniversary provides an
opportunity for women veterans to continue to reflect on
what was for many, one of the most pivotal experiences
of their lives.
Over 265,000 military women served America all over the
world during the Vietnam era. Approximately 11,000
military women were stationed in Vietnam during the war.
Ninety percent of them were nurses—the youngest and
most inexperienced group of American medical personnel
ever to serve in wartime. All were volunteers. In
addition to the military women, an unknown number of
civilian women also volunteered to serve in Vietnam as
news correspondents and workers for the Red Cross, the
USO, Special Services, the American Friends Service
Committee, Catholic Relief Services and other
humanitarian organizations. The memorial honors every
woman who served during that time.
"Through the years, I have found that when people are
educated about the voluntary presence of young American
women during the Vietnam War, it deepens their
perspective on that era," says Evans, who served in-
country as an Army nurse from 1968-9. "The statue of
women at the Vietnam Memorial site shows the human face
of love and care that did indeed exist even in the midst
of great trauma and suffering."
On Veterans’ Day 1993, the dedication of the Vietnam
Women’s Memorial opened the hearts and collective
understanding of millions of Americans and people around
the world. Many women veterans had never told their
friends, colleagues or even loved ones about their tour
of duty in Vietnam. The presence of the memorial on the
National Mall has helped many of these women to
encounter, reexamine and become more peaceful about this
part of their lives. Thousands visit Santa Fe sculptor
Glenna
Goodacre’s heroic-size bronze monument every year and
are inspired by its legacy of healing and hope not only
for the nation, and for them personally, as well.
The work of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation
continues to educate America about the presence of women
in America’s Vietnam era story. Over the years, the VWMF
has responded to hundreds of requests from students,
faculty, authors, artists, filmmakers and the media. The
VWMF also facilitates research concerning women who
served, participates in educational programs, and
provides consultation on projects and papers.
The VWMF’s 10th Anniversary Celebration will feature a
Candlelight Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. (EST), Nov. 10 at the
Vietnam Women’s Memorial followed by a Native American
Round Dance. Later that evening, veterans will gather
for "A Rock & Roll Reunion" at the DMZ to Delta Dance 8
p.m. to Midnight, at the Holiday Inn Roslyn across the
Key Bridge in Virginia. On Veterans’ Day, at 7:30 â€" 8:00
a.m., the names of the women who died in Vietnam and
since the end of the war will be read at the Vietnam
Women’s Memorial. The stories of Vietnam veterans who
are represented in the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, will
come to life when "in their own voices" as these men and
women express their feelings and experiences through
poetry, song and speeches at the women’s statue
throughout the day. At 1:00 p.m., in conjunction with
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the National Park
Service, Diane Carlson Evans, R.N., will introduce
special guest speakers and performing artists who will
pay tribute to women veterans during the Veteran’s Day
ceremony at the Wall.
For a complete schedule of Anniversary events hosted by
the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation and other
veterans’ organizations, and for additional information
about the VWMF, please visit our web site at