Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision

Although her design was controversial, Maya Lin had idea of what the Vietnam Memorial should represent. I think she wanted to emphasize the remembrance of the lost soldiers and allow American Patriotism to take the backseat.

Maya Lin says that she, "really did mean for people to cry" and when "you read a name, or touch a name, the pain will come out". Maya knew that her design would strike on debate and erupt negativity, but even so, see had a "strong clear vision" about what would connect better with those who lost friends and family members. When we look at the Marine Corps War Memorial we see a soldiers raising an American flag, without knowing anything about the statue I see a representation of American pride and American resilience. Though the memorial is for the honored soldiers, the statue itself doesn't give you that idea at first glance. Maya's goal wasn't to create a large US flag, but create something in which the people could actually feel and embrace emotionally. I think she saw the American soldiers as not just American Soldiers, but as human beings -- human beings that all had a family waiting for their return home. When we think about war memorials we think of statues, flags, and accolades, Maya Lin went with was she envisioned and created a tombstone to remember the soldiers; a tombstone families and friends could visit and remember there lost ones by.