The Political Significance Of Vietnam Veterans Memorial In Washington D.C

The political significance of Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is a reflection of the relation between collective memory and memorial landscape, which of the design itself and the spirit of pace of Vietnam Veterans Memorial has influence on American collective memory remaking and identity reconstruction.The result of this prolonged Vietnam War is a heavy blow to American society. American public turned their anger on Vietnam veterans in the post-war America, and meanwhile the American society is full of criticism for the leavings of Vietnam War. There are some fundamental differences between the U.S. government, Americans and Vietnam veterans on the reflection of Vietnam War, which led to the continuous state of American social divisions. The completion of Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial was also accompanied by controversy, whether the proposal or design plan selection caused wide official and vernacular involvement, but which is dominated by the vernacular interests. Along with the completion of Memorial, Vietnam veterans, Americans, and American society were healing through releasing their huge pain in front of the Memorial. The healing process contributes to the change in attitude of the American society towards Vietnam veterans, the new understanding of American values and the American spirit, and re-examination of the historical lessons of Vietnam War.Firstly, whether the site or design plans selection, they all reveal the theme for commemorating the sacrifice of Vietnam veterans. The change in attitude of the American society towards Vietnam veterans made public start to re-exam Vietnam War. And collective memory remaking was completion in this changing process. Secondly, the approval of Vietnam Veterans sacrifice and patriotism in American society strengthened the public’s understanding of patriotism. Thirdly,"spirit of place" of Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial provides an opportunity for American society to re-examine the American values. All the three points help the American identity reconstruction. And meanwhile, the Memorial provides an example for politicians in using memorial landscape to exert its political influence on the public.