Day-Tripping
Vietnam Veterans Memorial David Westphall Veterans Foundation
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ngel Fire is home to the nation’s first monument to honor veterans of the Vietnam War. On U.S. Hwy 64, just north of Angel Fire, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial features a chapel, visitor center and museum, a veterans’ walk and a “Huey” helicopter on display. The Memorial is operating at 100 percent capacity. Visitors Center/Museum and the David Westphall Veterans Foundation (DWVF) Gift Shop are open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily. Chapel and grounds are open 24/7. The original name for the memorial was Vietnam Veterans Peace and Brotherhood Chapel. It was built by Victor and Jeanne Westphall in 1971 as a memorial to their son, Marine 1st Lt. David Westphall, who died in Vietnam in 1968. Special events to memorialize veterans and active duty servicemembers include Labor Day Bricklaying and the Run For The Wall Memorial Day Motorcycle Ride. Up to 2,000 people attended the bricklaying this year. Each brick bears the name of a living or deceased veteran service member, their military branch and the years they served (a brick with no end date means they are still active duty). Bricks are available for purchase by anyone wanting to honor a military service member or veteran. About 5,000 bricks line the memorial. COVID-19 Update: As of July 22, 2021, masks mandated only for those unvaccinated.
FRIDAY, MAY 20
Memorial Day Event Schedule vietnamveterans memorial.org 575-377-2293
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VISITOR GUIDE Summer/Fall 2022
SUNDAY, MAY 29
MONDAY, MAY 30
Run For The Wall
Remembrance Ceremony
Memorial Day Ceremony
Approximately 3:30 p.m., Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Angel Fire. Salute, welcome and honor some 350 Run for the Wall riders on their 14th stop on the ride from Ontario, Calif., to Washington, DC. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one of the most important stops on the ride due to the significance and meaning of the memorial to so many of the riders.
Join us for a Memorial Day Eve Vigil at 6 p.m. to remember, reflect and heal families and friends of beloved veterans who have passed on. Ceremony highlights: 44th Army Ensemble Band performance; The Woman Veterans Warriors Color Guard; Flag presentation by the Vietnam Vets Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club; Missing Man Table presented by Victor Flores; presentation by Daughters of the American Revolution NM State Regent, Diane Halvorsen; and “Those who Came Before Us” presentation by the Woman Veteran Warriors Color Guard.
For over 50 years, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial “Memorial Day Ceremony” has been and continues to be an emotional yet healing time for veterans and their families, celebrating those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice by dying in our nation’s service. Beginning at 9 a.m., this year’s activities include: The Flag March, starting at the corner of US Hwy 64 and Hwy 434 and concludes at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; 44th Army Band Ensemble performance; Keynote Speaker Steve Trout, author of “The Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Angel Fire: War, Remembrance, and an American Tragedy”; Daughters of the American Revolution, Armed Services Monument Dedication; VVA Northern NM Chapter 996 Color Guard. The David Westphall Veterans Foundation is located at 34 Country Club Road. For more information email info@ vietnamveteransmemorial.org.
