Near Angel Fire in Colfax County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Vietnam Veterans National Memorial
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 23, 2011
1. Vietnam Veterans National Memorial Marker
Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1939.
Location. 36° 26.369′ N, 105° 17.366′ W. Marker is near Angel Fire, New Mexico, in Colfax County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 64 at milepost 276.8 and Valverde Road (Road B4), on the left when traveling east on U.S. 64. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Angel Fire NM 87710, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in Northern New Mexico. It is also in the American Southwest, in the Mountain West, and on the Santa Fe Trail Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Dust Bowl, and the Republic of Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Palo Flechado Pass (approx. 3.1 miles away); Wheeler Peak (approx. 4.7 miles away); Eagle Nest Lake State Park (approx. 7.8 miles away); Elizabethtown (approx. 8 miles away); Palisades Sill (approx. 10.2 miles away); a different marker also named
this page online
Also see . . . Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The memorial was originally known as the Vietnam Veterans Peace and Brotherhood Chapel and had its origins in a battle near Con Thien, South Vietnam in which 16 men lost their lives. Among the men, was David Westphall, son of Victor and Jeanne Westphall. Thanks to their vision and determination the memorial exists today to honor not only these 16 Marines but all members of America's armed forces. (Submitted on August 7, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.)
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 23, 2011
2. back of Vietnam Veterans National Memorial Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 23, 2011
3. Vietnam Veterans National Memorial Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 23, 2011
4. Entrance to Vietnam Veterans National Memorial
Turn right and veer to the right for one-half mile to the Memorial parking area.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 23, 2011
5. Vietnam Veterans National Memorial Chapel
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 23, 2011
6. Plaque near chapel
On April 24, 1994, Dr. Victor Westphall gathered a handful of soil from this spot and on May 2 1994, scattered it at the ambush site in Vietnam where Lt. Victor David Westphall, III lost his life on May 22, 1968. Dr. Westphall returned with earth from the ambush scene and mixed it here with New Mexico soil on May 5, 1994.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,194 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 7, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
