May

“Welcome Home”

Half a century after the end of the Vietnam war, “Camp Legacy” on the National Mall offered a commemoration.

Earlier this month (Thursday, May 11 through Saturday, May 13), the Smithsonian participated in the “Welcome Home” Vietnam War Commemoration event on the National Mall. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of American military involvement in the Vietnam War and the Smithsonian is observing this milestone in a couple of different ways.

Visitors explore helicopters parked on the mall. — *Visitors could climb aboard and learn more about military helicopters at the east end of Camp Legacy. (Photo courtesy Michele Gelhausen)*

Photo placards along sidewalk on the National Mall — *The walkway to the Reflecting Pool is lined with photos of soldiers lost during the war or still missing in action. (Photo by Michele Gelhausen)*

The three-day “Welcome Home” event featured formal ceremonies, historical and museum exhibits, nightly sundown concerts, live demonstrations, publics talks and a whole lot more. Camp Legacy, a tent complex on the South side of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool illustrated with visuals, words, and interactions the legacy of service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans and their families.

Informational tent at Camp Legacy installation — *Smithsonian tent space (shared with the State Department’s National Museum of American Diplomacy) at Camp Legacy on the National Mall. (Photo courtesy Michele Gelhausen)*

Staff and volunteers talk to visitors about various subjects related to the Vietnam War. (Photo courtesy Michele Gelhausen)

The Smithsonian shared a tent with the State Department’s National Museum of American Diplomacy at Camp Legacy, staffed with Smithsonian staff and volunteers who shared their expertise in curation, conservation, interpretation, and personal experiences.

The National Museum of American History’s brought out a few special objects out of storage and had them on display for a limited time in the Price of Freedom gallery. The objects included Lewis Albanese’s Medal of Honor, personal items that represented the late Rep. Sam Johnson’s seven years as a POW and the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to Martha Raye.

Diorama display of US Army helicopter and soldier assisting wounded man — *Vietnam War-related items on display for a limited time in the “Price of Freedom” gallery at the American History Museum. (Photo courtesy Michele Gelhausen)*

Thank you to those who have volunteered and are helping make this such an impactful event! And thank you to all that serve or have served our country!

To learn more about the Welcome Home event click here: Welcome Home | Welcome Home! | Vietnam War Commemoration (vietnamwar50th.com)

To learn more about the Vietnam War and what is on display in NMAH’s Price of Freedom Gallery, click here: Vietnam | National Museum of American History (si.edu)