Monument Name
Onslow County Vietnam Memorial, Jacksonville
Type
Subjects
Creator
City
County
Description
This veterans memorial honors the sacrifice of service members from all five branches of the U.S. military in the Vietnam War. An impressive installation, it is composed of a central circular reflecting pool and a fountain with 5 jets representing each branch of the armed forces. Each jet is lit with a different color, best viewed at night. A gazebo added in 2014 caps the fountain. The unofficial words to “Taps” are inscribed around the gazebo roof line.
A circular garden area with a paved walkway and bridge with French design surrounds the fountain and gazebo. Encircling the fountain/gazebo is a glass wall where the names of the 58,229 fallen are etched. The glass wall consists of approximately 3,700 square feet of glass.
Also present is a large curved entry wall of white brick with full color coats of arms for the five branches of the military. Flags at the entry wall include those of the military branches, POW/MIA, N.C. State and U.S. flags. In gold lettering above the coats of arms is VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL. A small podium style marker with a bronze plaque stands in front of the wall.
The memorial was constructed in multiple phases between 2009 and 2014.Custodian
Lejeune Memorial Gardens
Dedication Date
June 13, 2009. Re-dedication: May 31, 2014
Decade
Geographic Coordinates
34.746830 , -77.412870
Supporting Sources
Public Site
Yes
Materials & Techniques
Granite, glass, concrete, brick, metal
Sponsors
The Onslow Vietnam Veterans Foundation
Monument Cost
$4,500,000
Monument Dedication and Unveiling
The dedication of the completion of the first phase of the memorial occurred on June 13, 2009. The glass wall was unveiled, and the ceremony included a color guard leading a procession.
The final phase of the memorial’s construction was celebrated with a re-dedication on May 31, 2014. “The glass panels are a poignant reminder of the tremendous sacrifice of the Vietnam generation,” said Col. Timothy Salmon, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station New River, during remarks at the re-dedication.Subject Notes
This Vietnam memorial is one of the few in the country that list the names of all 58,229 women and men who died in the war. It also honors the wounded, prisoners of war, and those missing in action whose location remains unknown.
Location
The memorial is located in Lejeune Memorial Gardens. This triangle shaped park is formed with Montford Landing Road on one side, Lejeune Blvd. (Hwy. 24) on another and U.S. Highway 17 on the third side. The 9/11 World Trade Center Beam Memorial, the Beirut Memorial, Montford Point Marine Memorial, the U.S. Navy Corpsmen Memorial, the Marine Corps Interrogator Translator Memorial and the largest Eagle, Globe, Anchor statue in the world are also located in Lejeune Memorial Gardens. The Eagle, Globe, Anchor statue stands at the entrance to the Museum of the Marines (scheduled to open in 2026). The (dedicated on July 29, 2016) are located nearby in the Gardens.
Landscape
The monument is located at the center of a circular plaza in a clearing surrounded by pine forest.
Post Dedication Use
Lejeune Memorial Gardens have been the site of annual Patriot Day services since 2006.
Approval Process
The Onslow County Vietnam Veterans Foundation, a grassroots endeavor begun by a group of veterans and other supporters, began in 1998 with the mission to develop a Vietnam memorial. The land was donated by Camp Lejeune. Fundraising efforts included an annual motorcycle run and rally. The entire plan would proceed in phases, as funds were raised, with the final design including a covered canopy over the reflecting pool and fountain, overlay of the concrete walkways with granite, lighting and flag poles, and a welcome center.
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