Reflections in Vietnam Veterans Memorial

This unusual view of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial shows that one of its walls is aligned with the Washington Monument. The carved names of those who gave their life in this effort are visible in the texture of the wall at the left.

When my husband took his sunrise walk around the monuments of Washington during our recent visit, a group of volunteers had just finished washing the Vietnam Memorial with soap, water and scrub brushes. Their efforts gave the monument a reflective sheen that enhanced the photo. Most of the volunteers cleaning the memorial were young people who were not even alive during the time of the Vietnam War.

Although controversial when designed by a Yale student, Maya Lin, the wall is now ranked as one of the most popular architectural designs in the country. It is especially moving in the early morning when my husband visited without the crowds that gather each day.

This week we are showing nighttime photos of Budapest on Viva la Voyage.