What is In Memory?
Since the Vietnam War ended, thousands of Vietnam veterans have suffered due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and other illnesses as a result of their service. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) believes all those who served in Vietnam should be honored and remembered for their service. The In Memory program enables the families and friends of those who came home and later died the opportunity to have them be forever memorialized.
The plaque on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site in Washington, D.C. that honors these veterans was dedicated in 2004 and reads: In Memory of the men and women who served in the Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service. We honor and remember their sacrifice.
In Memory was created in 1993 by the group – Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. VVMF began managing the program and hosting the ceremony in 1999. More than 7,000 veterans have been added to the In Memory Honor Roll since the program began. To see all the honorees, please visit the In Memory Honor Roll.
What is Included?
Having a veteran honored includes:
• An invitation to In Memory Weekend in Washington, D.C., which includes a touching ceremony on the site of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where each honoree’s name is read aloud. If you are present, you may read the name. Each applicant also receives a printed personal tribute certificate with their veteran’s photo(s).
• As part of the In Memory Honor Roll, an online personal remembrance page is created for each honoree with their photo and biographical information. Family members can share the page and leave remembrances about their loved one.
• VVMF’s mobile exhibit, The Wall That Heals, includes the digital photos of all In Memory honorees from the state where the exhibit is on display.
• An invitation to join our Facebook group: In Memory – Families of Vietnam Veterans lost to Agent Orange and PTSD. The group gives family and friends an online community to connect and share their stories.Join the In Memory Facebook Group
How do I Apply?
WE ARE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 Ceremony.
Fill out an online application Download the In Memory application
To have a veteran considered for the 2026 In Memory national ceremony, you must submit your application to VVMF by March 29, 2026.
For The Wall That Heals local exhibit deadlines, refer to your community’s host website.
What’s required?
- Completed application form
- Copy of DD214 or other military-issued documents verifying service in the Vietnam War
- These documents should indicate that your veteran either: a) was in-country in Vietnam during the Vietnam War period, or b) received the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, etc.
- We can not accept photographs of medals, pins, patches, or grave markers as proof of service in Vietnam.
- VVMF is not affiliated with the National Archives and can not access your veteran’s documentation. You can request their service records here: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/
- Copy of death certificate or other formal notification of death
- We do not consider cause of death or presence of service-related afflictions when determining eligibility for In Memory
We also ask for:
- Two clear photographs of the honoree (we recommend one photo from the Vietnam era and one photo that is more recent)
- An optional biography of no more than 300 words may also be submitted for inclusion on the veteran’s Honor Roll page. See an example Honor Roll page here. VVMF may edit extended biographies for length.
If you do not have a copy of military documents, military service records can be obtained from the National Archives Veterans Service Records. Visit www.archives.gov and click on “Veterans’ Service Records.”
If you have a question about the program or are experiencing difficulty with the application, contact VVMF at (202) 393-0090 or via e-mail at [email protected].
What are people saying about the In Memory Program?
To hear one In Memory family tell their story of loss and healing listen to episode #16: Song for the Unsung of VVMF’s podcast, Echoes of The Vietnam War, here.
“I feel at peace now. My brother, and all of the other Honorees, have finally gotten the recognition they so deserved. Thank You for the Bottom of My Heart.” Diana De Koning-Kordick, sister of 2020 honoree Jerald Wayne De Koning
“It was a weekend that our family shared together and I am amazed at the bonding that took place. It almost felt spiritual. We are all still processing all the emotions that we felt and it was WONDERFUL . I did not really know what to expect, but it exceeded anything I could have expected.” Mary Hotopp, wife of 2018 honoree Arthur Hotopp
“The whole experience was very meaningful to me and my family. We really felt like it gave the Vietnam veterans some of the recognition they never received when they came home. My husband and children never had the opportunity to meet my Dad and this weekend gave me the chance to really share him with them.” Judy Wissel, daughter of 2018 honoree George Land
“Thank you for EVERYTHING you as an organization do to remember and honor these men and women who unknowingly brought a piece of Vietnam home with them. The honor and respect shown goes a long way toward removing memories of the horrible treatment they received when they came home originally.” Virginia Pearson, wife of 2020 honoree Bruce Richard Pearson Sr.