Tears come easily in this place.
The strong sense of sorrow, along with the comfort of having a focal point to share grief and memories, is almost overpowering. On a windy hill in the vast Moreno Valley near this hamlet of 93 people resides a striking tribute called the Disabled American Veterans`/Vietnam Veterans` National Memorial.
Built in 1968 by the Westphall family in honor of their son and brother, David, who lost his life in Vietnam, it was the first in the country to commemorate all Vietnam veterans. In the shadow of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, wildflowers abound on this land considered holy by Ute Indians.
The stark white monument resembles a sculpture more than a building. The chapel hugs the earth like a dove on its nest, while the double spires soar 50 feet, dropping to earth in sweeping curved walls. In the tiny interior, a sliver of light shining through the narrow floor-to-ceiling window becomes an eternal beacon.
On the back wall, 12 photos hang beside that of David Westphall. Victor Westphall, David`s father, says that he was told in a dream to place 12 photographs of other fallen veterans beside his son`s, as there were 12 killed with David.
Each day, he remembers the other veterans represented by these pictures and prays ”their sacrifices will prevent future wars and help to establish lasting world peace and brotherhood.” And each month, he changes the display to honor another 12 heroes and heroines.
A table in the entryway of the adjacent 6,000-square-foot visitors center holds another collection of photographs in recognition of other men and women who died. Chairs are placed among free-standing banners representing different military units. Vivid scenes of the war and the lives of the Vietnamese people are depicted in large murals on the surrounding walls.
Veterans say they find a healing spirit here, and they consider this place sacred. As one veteran stated, ”Time heals, but you never forget.”
