When the New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated, veterans and millions of New Yorkers celebrated this a long-awaited recognition of sacrifice and public gratitude with a ticker tape parade, reunions and gala event.
However, in the years that followed, the Commission that built the Memorial went dormant; the adjacent property owner, responsible for maintaining the Plaza, went bankrupt and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation curtailed its maintenance of the Plaza. Within a decade, this expressive memorial to the sacrifice and valor of Vietnam veterans was neglected, vandalized and deteriorating. Lacking oversight and adequate maintenance, both the Memorial and the Plaza fell into disrepair.
In 1998, the Manhattan Chapter 126 of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA 126) formed a Memorial Committee to address the issue. Committee chair Tom Fox wrote a letter to NYC Park Commissioner Henry Stern requesting his “assistance in correcting the deplorable situation that reflects poorly on New York City’s recognition of Vietnam Veterans”. VVA 126 also wrote to the Mayor, City Council Speaker, Manhattan Borough President and other appointed and elected officials soliciting their support for the restoration effort.
Joe Graham, president of VVA 126, approached Harry Bridgwood, a Vietnam-era veteran who was the executive vice president of the New Water Street Corporation for support. On a visit to the building, Dr. David Bronner, chairman of The Retirement Systems of Alabama which owned the building, had said that the condition of the plaza was “not a fitting tribute to our veterans.” He promised a significant donation to the cause and Harry was eager to find a group to work with to improve the plaza.
Working together VVA 126, the City, the New Water Street Corporation and the Alliance for Downtown New York formed The 2000 Committee for the Renovation of Vietnam Veterans Plaza to spearhead the restoration effort. The Committee identified the critical path it would need to take to raise funds and negotiate the city planning and review processes to restore the plaza. To bankroll this effort, the Committee raised $7.2 million from public and private sources.
Plans were made for the restoration of the memorial and the total reconstruction of the plaza. There would be seven new flagpoles; a ceremonial entrance at the eastern end of the plaza; a water element to help mitigate traffic noise; new lighting, railings and landscaping. In addition, there would be new educational elements such as a map and web site to enhance the visitor’s experience. The main new feature was to be a “Walk of Honor” listing those New Yorkers who made the highest sacrifice in the service of their country: there are now 1,741 names etched onto steles affixed to 12 pylons that line the Walk of Honor.
VVA 126 approached the New York Community Trust, which administered funds that remained from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission and asked for support of the new educational elements. The Trust agreed and a map of the Republic of Vietnam during the years of the war was added to the Plaza and this Web site was created.
