The new Vietnam War Memorial in Dunwoody, Georgia, honors both American soldiers and South Vietnamese soldiers who fought against communism during the Vietnam War.
A dedication ceremony for the new memorial was held on Saturday, Macaroni Kid reports.
Located in Brook Run Park, the memorial features life-sized bronze statues of an American Infantry soldier and a soldier from the former Republic of South Vietnam standing side by side, symbolizing their shared sacrifice. Behind the statues are two large memorial walls honoring the more than 58,000 American soldiers and over 300,000 Vietnamese soldiers who lost their lives during the conflict.
The project was a joint effort between the Vietnamese American Community of Georgia (VAC-GA) and the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association (AVVBA) and was funded entirely through private donations. For the local community, the memorial is more than just a monument. It serves as a lasting reminder of the bond forged between two groups who faced immense struggles and the ultimate sacrifices. TraMy Nguyen, project director for VAC-GA, said, per Macaroni Kid, that many members of the Vietnamese community in Georgia were born in South Vietnam and escaped to America after the fall of Saigon in 1975. This memorial allows them to honor their past while reflecting on the value of freedom in their new home.
The memorial is particularly significant because it is one of the few in the U.S. to honor both groups of soldiers together. The dedication ceremony, held on October 5, 2024, included notable speakers such as U.S. Army Major General (Ret.) Lapthe Chau Flora, who fled Communist Vietnam in 1980, and Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ron Helmly, who served two tours in Vietnam. The event also featured live music and a display of a Huey helicopter used in the war, The Aha! Connection reports.
This memorial serves as a lasting reminder of the sacrifices made by those from both nations, bringing together veterans and refugees who were directly impacted by the war. It stands as a testament to the shared history and the price of freedom.
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