Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

Memorial Legacy - The Organization preserves the legacy of the memorial and promotes healing through ceremonies, activities, remembrance events and visitor engagement by the general public at the memorial. In person, online and through public service announcements, the Organization provides information about the history of the memorial and responds to questions from potential visitors. The Organization maintains a commemorative web site called The Wall of Faces, that allows families, friends and veterans to post remembrances of those whose names are inscribed on the memorial, extending the healing power and emotional impact of the wall to millions of people through the internet.

Ceremonies and Events - The Organization plans, organizes and conducts a number of ceremonies at the memorial and elsewhere to bring people together to remember and honor the men and women who served in the Vietnam War and those who died. Ceremonies are conducted each year on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Father's Day, Mother's Day, In Memory Day and Christmas to recognize, remember and honor those who served and died as well as to bring healing to their families, their friends and our nation.

The Wall That Heals - The Organization promotes healing and provides education about the impact of the Vietnam War through its traveling mobile exhibit called "The Wall That Heals". The Organization exhibits a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in locations throughout the United States, making it possible for millions of individuals who are unable to travel to Washington, D.C., to recognize, remember, and honor those who served and died and to experience a connection with lost comrades and loved ones. The traveling memorial also includes a Mobile Education Center.

Memorial maintenance - The Organization works in cooperation with the National Park Service to provide for special maintenance needs of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., including the adjacent Three Serviceman Statue, In Memory plaque, flagpole and the three-acre site where the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located, to maintain the site's function as a place of reflection on the Vietnam war, a place of honor, recognition and remembrance of those who served and those who died, a place of spiritual connection with lost comrades and loved ones, and a symbol of healing for our nation. In 2023, VVMF assumed maintenance responsibility for the Vietnam Women's Memorial through its partnership with the Park Service. VVMF now cares for and helps maintain the entire memorial site including the Wall, the Three Servicemen Statue, the Vietnam Women's Memorial and the In-Memory plaque. The memorial has been visited by more than 95 million people, making it one of the most visited memorials on the National Mall. This nearly 5 million people visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.

Education programs - The Organization educates students about the impact of the Vietnam War and preserves the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial through its programs related to the education of students, teachers and visitors. The Organization's education programs reach teachers and students from grades 7 to 12 as well as higher education. The Hometown Heroes education curriculum provides program information to schools and community organizations encouraging students to write biographies of men and women from their community whose names are inscribed on the memorial. VVMF created the podcast "Echoes of the Vietnam War" to capture the stories of Vietnam veterans and share them with a broad audience. As an education effort, the podcast has been downloaded more than 250,000 times.

In Memory - VVMF's In Memory program honors Vietnam veterans who served, returned home, and later died, but are not eligible for inscription on the wall under Department of Defense guidelines. Examples of causes of death that fit the criteria for inclusion in the program include: exposure to Agent Orange, PTSD/suicide, cancer, diabetes, and heart attack. The In Memory program also conducts a reading of the names and In Memory events.

Outreach - Outreach efforts include all activities to make people aware of VVMF various programs and activities: presentations to visitor groups, veteran groups, or students about the Vietnam War; its veterans; and the Memorial. Outreach also makes people aware of the In Memory Program, The Wall That Heals, ceremonies and other activities that take place as part of VVMF's mission.