Login | Register | Subscribe to the GG RSS Feed

Virtual Vietnam Wall - Desktop Travel Pays Tribute to Fallen Americans

Digitized wall brings losses closer to home

We all have our own unique reasons for travel. To explore, to understand, to learn, to cherish. Sometimes travel can feel more like a thank you or maybe an apology, especially when we visit places like Auschwitz, Hiroshima, Vietnam.

American FlagAmerican FlagIf you've always wanted to see the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, but can't seem to get there, you no longer have to. You can visit it online.

The digital wall, unveiled last week, has more than 58,000 names etched onto it. And each name represents a life, a promise, a loved one - all lost.

The brick and mortar wall in Washington stretches almost 500 ft in length. The virtual one is smaller, but it's made from more than 6,000 digital photographs electronically pieced together.

The National Archives and Footnote.com created the virtual wall, which links names to digital photographs of each person to casualty reports and historical documents. Everyone who visits can leave a message that others can read.

"War is hell, Robert Love, a mechanic who served in Vietnam, told CNN. "There's no other way to put it. And when an individual goes into a situation where he or she takes the life of another individual, it's devastating and you never really get over it. At times, when you go to sleep at night, you see just like you were there. You wake up in a cold sweat -- scared; and after so long it starts wearing on your body."

The Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall opens up a new era of travel for everyone and the perfect way to teach those too young to remember the devastating cost of Vietnam.

Sometimes travel really is as simple as a click away. Will you go to the wall?

Related Stories

Rate This post

Comments

A web site similar to the one you described above opened in 1997. <a href="http://www.VirtualWall.org">THE VIRTUAL WALL</a> Vietnam Veterans Memorial at <a href="http://www.VirtualWall.org">www.VirtualWall.org</a> has thousands of personal tributes to the fallen in the form of letters, photographs, and citations. <a href="http://www.VirtualWall.org">THE VIRTUAL WALL</a> does not accept donations, fees, or advertising in order to honor the fallen.

Post new comment




GoGirlfriend Recommendations

Travel Planning

Fodors
Lonely Planet
Frommers

Register

Membership is free and with it you can set up a profile, vote on stories and post your opinions.

Already a member?
Login

Not a member? Join!
Register


Most Recent Comments

  • On Club Orient - St. Martin, Scribbles said "The naturist beaches on St Martin are really quite special. There are many choices and opportunity for getting an all over tan. There are naturist hotel accommodations also. https://naturist.sx is a great place to learn about all the naturist opportunities on this beautiful Caribbean Island "
  • On 6 Tips to Survive (and Thrive) in Self-Isolation, admin said "Thanks Bat-El for the great tip. We've included your link in our Bonus Ideas from our Community section so others can enjoy. I really enjoyed the Stonehenge tour ... it's on my bucket list!"
  • On 6 Tips to Survive (and Thrive) in Self-Isolation, Bat-El Galor said "My name is Bat-El, and I'm working in collaboration with Travel Trend website. We've recently published a post -"Top 100 virtual tours around the world". After looking at these wonderful tips to survive in self-isolation; It occurred to me that our post could also contribute to your readers with further virtual tours resources. The post includes 100 links to virtual tours and unique experiences around the world. Feel free to check out the link and enjoy your travels ... https://www.trvltrend.com/technology/virtual-tours/ Cheers,"
  • On Cuba Travel ~ 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Go, admin said "Thanks Gordon for the update ... and given most routes to the resorts on the coast are an hour+ and it's Cuban warm, that money for a beverage is a great tip!"
  • On Cuba Travel ~ 10 Things You Need to Know Before You Go, Gordon Mitchell said "Over the last few years The $25 departure tax has been included in your airfare. Make sure you convert your cash at the airport so you can buy a cold beer on the bus on your way to the resort. They will take canadian money but not loonies and toonies. "


Blogs We Love

beautiful Vancouver, British ColumbiaCheck out our GoGirlfriend Facebook page to follow us as we seek new adventures and create memories in our own part of the world.








Advertisement