Hagel supports Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center

(Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from an op-ed written by Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.)

For me, visits to The Wall evoke powerful memories of courageous soldiers I had the privilege of serving alongside in Vietnam. Their lives, as well as those of more than 58,000 other men and women, were taken from them in their prime. Each name on the memorial represents unfulfilled dreams and hopes and, just as importantly, countless family members and friends who never had the chance to say goodbye.

Today, The Wall is older than many of the people who visit it. Thus, our nation's youth have very little understanding of the Vietnam War and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the legacies of each. There is no better place to teach future generations of America about the core values of our nation and its people than at this national memorial.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is working with our country's best minds to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center across the street from The Wall. I authored the legislation in Congress, signed by President Bush, for this educational facility, which will be completely funded by private donations.

When the education center is a reality, visitors will gain a fuller understanding of the Vietnam War and the great human loss that resulted from America's longest war. A Wall of Faces will show images of the 58,260 people memorialized on The Wall. Another exhibit will display some of the more than 110,000 items that have been left in tribute by family members and military comrades at The Wall, and provide deeper insight into those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

In reviewing the plans for this unique educational center, the exhibit I find most riveting is the one that will display images of American veterans who fought our nation's battles, starting with the Revolutionary War and continuing through today in Iraq and Afghanistan. It will indelibly link those who served in the Vietnam War with their comrades-in-arms of other eras and wars through the core values of duty, honor and country.

These values, instilled in our nation's future generations through The Wall and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Education Center, will forever be present as they shoulder the heavy responsibility of defending our democracy.

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