Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain

Dedicated on September 6, 1986, this tranquil fountain serves as a memorial to the Veterans who served in the Vietnam War. Five adjoining pools represent America's increased involvement throughout the War as the water starts calmly in a shallow pool before flowing into more turbulent waters. It ends with two channels leading to separate pools, symbolizing the divided opinions of the War. Across from the fountain is a semi-circular wall inscribed with the names of Kansas City area Veterans whose lives were lost.

The idea of this Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain was developed in the early 1980s by Kansas City Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc.. Designed by Vietnam Veteran and Architectural Designer David M. Baker, this memorial fountain is made of five, interconnected rectangular pools that are presented from smallest to largest and symbolizes America’s growing involvement throughout the Vietnam War. It was dedicated on September 6, 1986.

The United States of America became directly involved in the Vietnam War (1954-1975) in 1959 due to increasingly escalating guerilla incidents. Until this time, the U.S. primarily offered supplies, advising, and training to South Vietnam, a principal ally. America had become involved on a large scale by 1965 and active combat troops were introduced. By 1969, more than 500,000 American military personnel were stationed in Vietnam. As the cost increased, both monetarily and in human casualties, U.S. troops finally withdrew in 1973. The war ended in 1975 when South Vietnam fell to the North. 

As described, America's involvement is represented in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain first by calmness in a shallow pool. Water then travels through channels to larger pools containing pillars which water flows from vigorously, representing turbulence and chaos of building troops and escalating combat. The third pool splits into two channels which flow into separate pools, representing the everlasting division of opinion about America's involvement in the Vietnam War resulting in the tremendous loss of life. 

In addition, the names of the 451 Kansas City area soldiers whose lives were lost are inscribed and memorialized in a semi-circular wall behind the fountain. The Memorial Wall was dedicated the year prior to the fountain, on December 16, 1985. The wall also contains an inscribed Vietnam Service Medal to recognize all members of the Armed Forces who directly served during the Vietnam War and a Purple Heart to honor those who were wounded or killed while serving.

An accompanying plaque to the fountain reads as follows: 

Water, like time, has the power to cleanse and heal. This memorial fountain stands as a symbol of that healing, from the devastating division caused by the Vietnam War. The fountain's pools represent the country's growing involvement in the war, culminating in two pools symbolic of the divided opinions at the time.

Americans took distinct and differing stands on the war, and caught in the middle were the thousands of men and women from the Kansas City area who served in Vietnam, hundreds of whom were killed or are missing and unaccounted for. This memorial is to honor them, and bring us all together in tribute to their dedication and bravery.

The park is for all of Kansas City to enjoy, and to remember. For only by remembering can we assure that it never happens again.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Virginia, whose mission is to “honor and preserve the legacy of service and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War.” The organization was incorporated on April 27, 1979 and authorized by Congress the following year to build a memorial as a physical symbol recognizing service members of the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. Commonly called The Wall, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was installed in the nation's capital, Washington D.C. and dedicated on November 13, 1982. As a reminder of their sacrifice, the 493-foot long, Black granite wall memorializes the more than 58,000 men and women who lost their lives or remain missing.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fountain, City of Fountains. Accessed June 30th 2022. https://cityoffountains.org/vietnam-veterans-memorial-fountain/.

About, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Accessed June 30th 2022. https://www.vvmf.org/.

Vietnam War, Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed June 30th 2022. https://www.britannica.com/event/Vietnam-War.