A tribute to Texans who served and sacrificed

The Vietnam War evokes feelings of patriotism and pain.

The Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial pays honor to those Texans who served the United States in that hard-fought and heavily debated conflict.

Former President George H. Bush dedicated the memorial in 1989. Five tablets of Texas granite bear the names of Texans killed or missing in action, including nine Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. A soothing waterfall flows alongside the memorial, which is familiarly known simply as, “The Wall”.

Wreaths, bracelets, flowers, flags and other sentimental items are sometimes left next to the tablet bearing the name of a loved one.

During the State Fair, visitors place small American flags next to the names of veterans they know – or just to honor those who served and sacrificed in the name of freedom. You’ll find the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial at the intersection of First and Parry avenues, near the Automobile Building.