Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument facts for kids
The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument is a special memorial. It was created by artist Duke Sundt from New Mexico. You can find it on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas. This monument honors all Texans who served in the Vietnam War. It also remembers the 3,417 Texans who sadly died during the war. Work on the monument started on March 25, 2013. It was officially opened on March 29, 2014.
Contents
How the Monument Was Built
This section explains how the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument came to be. It shows how people worked together to create this important tribute.
Starting the Monument Project
In December 2005, Texas State Representative Wayne Smith and State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa met with other Vietnam Veterans. Each of them gave $1,000 to start a special group. This group was a nonprofit organization. Its goal was to raise money for a monument. The monument would honor Texans who served in the Vietnam War.
The Committee and Funding
Many people joined the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee. They included Robert Floyd, John Miterko, and Terry B. Burkett. Lady Bird Johnson, who was the wife of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, also helped. She was an Honorary Co-Chair. The money for the monument came from many places. Individuals, companies, and veteran groups all donated. The Texas Historical Commission also gave a matching grant of $500,000. This means they added money for every dollar raised.
Why the Monument Was Needed
This part tells you the important reasons why the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument was built. It explains the meaning behind this special memorial.
Remembering Texas Heroes
Nearly 60,000 Americans died during the Vietnam War. A large number of these brave people, 3,417, were from Texas. The monument helps everyone remember their sacrifice.
A Welcome Home for Veterans
At an event where the names of fallen veterans were read, a reporter named Joe Galloway spoke. He was a war correspondent during the Vietnam War. He explained that the monument has another important purpose. It encourages towns across America to welcome Vietnam veterans. Many veterans did not get a warm welcome when they returned home 50 years ago. This monument helps to fix that.
What the Monument Looks Like
Here you can learn about the design of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument. It describes the figures and special details that make it unique.
The Bronze Sculpture
The monument is a large bronze sculpture. It stands 14 feet tall. On top of an eight-sided base, there are five seven-foot-tall figures. These figures are infantry soldiers in patrol positions.
Representing Texas Diversity
The five figures in the sculpture represent the many different people from Texas who served. They include Hispanic-American, African-American, Asian, Native-American, and Caucasian soldiers. This shows the diversity of Texans who fought in the war.
Special Dog Tags Inside
Inside the monument, there are 3,417 handcrafted dog tags. Each dog tag represents one of the Texas veterans who died in Vietnam. This makes the monument a very personal tribute to each lost life. The monument cost about $1.5 million to build.
Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit
This section describes a special exhibit that helps people learn more about the Texans who served in Vietnam.
The Traveling Exhibit
The Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit is a visual display. It shows the names of the 3,417 Texans who did not come home from Vietnam. The exhibit was designed by Excalibur Exhibits. It features hand-embossed dog tags. Each tag has the veteran's name, rank, branch of service, and the date and place they were lost.
Connecting to the Monument
A second dog tag with the same information is placed inside the monument at the Texas Capitol. The exhibit first opened to the public at the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas, on March 24, 2013. On that same day, all 3,417 names were read aloud. Also, work began on the monument at the Capitol. The exhibit traveled to other cities like San Antonio, Lubbock, Houston, Fort Worth, and Beaumont while the monument was being built.
