Washington Park: Vietnam Veteran's of Oregon Memorial

There are a few different entry points for the veterans' memorial, but it is probably best to start at the walkway to the Garden of Solace.

There are signs giving an idea of the layout, and it looks weird, but once you are in there it makes sense.

There are signs giving an idea of the layout, and it looks weird, but once you are in there it makes sense.

The garden is a peaceful place, and appears to be popular with veterans, not only of Vietnam. There is a quiet that lends itself to remembrance and reflection.

Then you can start walking the spiral out. The path has an easy slope, so should be easily manageable for most.

Then the markers start to appear at intervals. They give the time period covered, the lives of Oregonians lost during it, and also things that happened locally, with stories that were covered in Oregon newspapers. Sometimes they refer to the war, but not always, especially earlier.

The biggest thing you notice is as time goes on how the names increase, sometimes for much shorter time periods, but with so many more names.

Then, right before the end, there is a marker for those Missing In Action. Some names have been marked as recovered, but not all.

Then, at the top, you have a new perspective. You can understand the design. Perhaps you will not understand the war, but you should have an idea of the cost, and the specific cost to our state.

Then, there are many paths you can take.

https://www.portland.gov/parks/vietnam-veterans-oregon-memorial