Sarah Raymond, The Examiner
2008-08-15 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

Jan C. Scruggs is the founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Scruggs served in the U.S. Army and was wounded in the Vietnam War.

Why did you found the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund?

I founded the fund back in 1979 because I felt there was a need for the veterans of Vietnam to receive some permanent recognition for their sacrifices. Since the war had been so unpopular, the veterans never felt that all they had gone through was appreciated. … The impetus for the project as well was to provide the society as a whole with a symbol of unity in a divisive era. That’s why we fought so hard for that site next to the Lincoln Memorial.

How do you think the memorial’s design bears on the memory of the Vietnam War?

The monument’s design is an extraordinary architectural and anthropological success. The thing to remember is that there have now been probably twice as many items left at the memorial as there are names. The wall continues to draw people whether they were involved in or even remember anything about the war. … Nearly half the [visitors] are actually younger than the memorial itself.

What do you think of the plans to further develop the Mall, including adding a Vietnam Veterans Memorial visitor center?

The Mall is of course a special place. This is where our nation and other nations come to learn about Washington, to gaze at the monuments, to walk, jog, to enjoy, but they also come to learn. That’s why this memorial center has been authorized by the Congress and that this very special place will be constructed underground to preserve the historic sightlines.