For Immediate Release
October 28, 2004

Contact: JoAnn Mangione
(202) 393-0090 ext.109

THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL REOPENS
AFTER $1 MILLION LIGHTING REPLACEMENT
Work Completed Weeks Ahead of Schedule

Washington, D.C. - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund announces the reopening of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial following the completion of a $1 million lighting renovation.  The project which began in June necessitated closing each side of The Wall for a few of months at a time. Only minor repaving of the pathways leading to the Memorial remains, but this will not hamper the visitor’s experience.

 “The result of this project is nothing short of spectacular. It is beautiful,” said Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. “We unfortunately had no choice but to close The Wall while the work was being done, but our goal was to complete the project by Veterans Day so we could share the new lighting with the thousands of veterans and their families who travel to D.C. every year to commemorate the holiday. I’m happy to say we’ve finished ahead of schedule.”

“We are so grateful to the Memorial Fund, as a park partner and for making the lighting upgrade possible for the millions of people who visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial every year,” said National Park Service Superintendent Vikki Keys. “The gentle lighting enhances a nighttime visit to The Wall, respecting the sacred ground it’s built upon and the adjacent areas of the National Mall.”

The Memorial Fund paid for the work because the 19-year old system no longer provided the best illumination for our visitors at night. George Sexton and Associates designed the new state-of-the-art- system, that can only be seen in one other place in the country--the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Grunley-Walsh Management, served as contractor on the project and is known for its historical restoration and renovation, including the Washington Monument. They were contractors for the World War II Memorial and also worked on the FDR Memorial’s forecourt addition. Also part of the team was STV Incorporated, an engineering management firm, who worked on a number of National Park facilities, including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial current Architect of Record, James Cummings AIA, served as project manager keeping the process coordinated and helping to bring the work in ahead of schedule. Other companies deserving credit for their work include:
 

  • ERCO (Lighting Fixtures)
  • Pagliaro Brothers (Stone Masons)
  • Firvida (Stone Masons)
  • Primo Electric (Electricians)

General Electric donated the 115 lamps needed to provide top-to-bottom illumination of each of the 140 inscribed panels of the black granite memorial.

Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is the non-profit organization authorized by Congress to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.  The Memorial Fund and the National Park Service have been working together on maintenance projects and special events at the Memorial for more than 20 years. NPS operates and maintains the Memorial and provides interpretive programs; while the Memorial Fund underwrites the costs of annual ceremonies, special events and long-term maintenance projects.

###

Donate Now

Donate Now and Help Us Build The Education Center at The Wall. The stories of our military heroes' stories and sacrifice must never be forgotten

Be an Online Advocate
Spread the word to friends and family.
facebook icon twitter icon

Join Us!
Sign up to receive e-mail updates about
Memorial Fund activities.
Enter your e-mail address below:
Sign up to stay updated on the building of the Education Center and Memorial Fund activities. Enter your e-mail address below:


go
Build The Center

Learn about VVMF's efforts to build an Education Center at The Wall.

go