The Grand Tour of the Baby Boomers: Remembrance
The Washing Crew of the Vietnam War Memorial
A week ago, I decided to launch a series of topics about Baby Boomers to show the younger generations that this generation survived a turbulent coming-of-age during a war and how the United States of America almost didn’t survive the cultural and societal upheaval during the Vietnam War. I came up with the theme “The Grand Tour” from George Jones. So, sit back. Settle in. I’m going to tell you why they matter, each Tuesday, because I’m tired of the “Boomer” jokes. As a Gen Xer, I was reared by my Silent Generation parents, but the bulk of my education was by the Baby Boomers.
I stumbled onto my first blog for the Baby Boomers from all places: a Facebook Historical post, and it is a great honor to blog and give my respect to the men found in the patriotism and brotherhood of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Chapter 641, located in Silver Spring, Maryland. These men would be Baby Boomers and perhaps some of my own father’s generation, called the Silent Generation.
Baby Boomers were born from 1946-1963. The Silent Generation was born from 1919-1945.
The Vietnam War Memorial is located on the National Mall in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., northeast of the Lincoln Memorial. The official address is 5 Henry Bacon Drive.
The idea for the wall was born by Vietnam Veteran, Jan Scruggs. In 1979, he started a nonprofit organization to raise money for a wall. Senator Charles Mathias, also known as “Mac,” was a Republican from Maryland, and he took Scruggs’ dream to fruition by proposing to the Senate that a location for a memorial be built on the National Mall. During the Vietnam War, counter-war protests were held on the Mall.
Mathias had the idea that the monument could become “a bridge” to bring both supporters, veterans, and critics of the war together in a shared space for reflection, reconciliation, and remembrance. Maya Lin did a minimalist design of reflective black granite panels etched with the names of over 58000 killed in action and missing soldiers. At present, there are 58,281 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
The National Park Service was/is in charge of memorials on the National Mall. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on November 13, 1982.
Around 1995, Michael Najarian, one of the Chapter 641 veterans, saw a photo from The Washington Post of young Marines washing the Vietnam War Memorial. He felt convicted that the Wall should be taken care of by Vietnam Veterans. He contacted the National Park Service, and his idea bore fruit. Officially, Chapter 641 are the “Wall Washing Crew” of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.
They start around 6 AM on the first Saturday of the month to wash the memorial before visitors to the Wall begins. The chapter invites volunteers to help, from the youths in Scouting USA, other VFW groups, Girl Scouts, Civil Air Patrol, and anyone who wants to help. The solemnity and respect of the duty of being the Keepers Washing Crew of the Monument are reflected in special opening and closing ceremonies. The morning begins with saluting the flag on the flagpole and also honoring the Three Servicemen statue. The day concludes with a moment of silence and a final salute facing the cleaned, gleaming names on the Monument.
They use special brushes to clean the black gabbro granite, soft non-residue soap, and hoses to rinse. All items used to clean the Memorial are provided by the National Park Service.
Teams start at the outer, lower ends of the V-shaped wall and work their way inward toward the center apex, section by section. As a hose rinses, the soapy water runs down the panels; viewers often comment that it is as if the Wall is crying.
If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Vietnam Veterans Association #641 at P.O. Box 1748, Silver Springs, Maryland 20915. The phone number is 202-244-1326. The email is Bill3001bill@verizon.net. The website is www.vvachapter641.org.
To the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 641, as the daughter of a Vietnam veteran, I thank you for your dedication and service to the brave men and women on our Wall.
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