Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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Visitors to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial often encounter National Park Service volunteers in yellow hats and shirts. These docents, often Vietnam veterans themselves, continue their service by sharing the stories behind some of the 58,281 names on the memorial. The volunteers can all recount instances of "Wall Magic;" moments of coincidence and connection and in many cases, healing, that take place in front of the black granite walls.

Visit MOAA's Vietnam Unchronicled project here: moaa.org/vietnam
To learn more about NPS volunteer opportunities visit nps.gov/volunteer

Special thanks to:
Bill Shugarts; US Army, Vietnam 1969-1970
Jim Knotts, President & CEO, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund; USAF, Gulf War
Maj. Gen. Sharon Bannister, USAF (Ret); Gold Star family member
Lt. Col. Dan Moore, USMCR (Ret); USMC, Vietnam 1967-1968
Capt. Henry “Hank” Lazzaro Capt., USN, (Ret); USMC Vietnam 1966-1968

moaa.org/content/publications-and-media/news-articles/2024-news-articles/member-spotlight/moaa-member-honors-fellow-veterans-by-serving-as-docent-at-vietnam-memorial