Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial

The Memorial is designed around a walking loop surrounded by the trees of Washington Park, it has a fountain at the entrance, as you walk the paved trail you pass low granite walls which list the years of the war and who, from Oregon, died that year, Along with that information it listed what the Oregon soldiers were missing that was happening back in Oregon.
The Memorial is designed to be a quiet place of reflection surrounded by nature. It is a contrast across from the Zoo along side the Forestry center and near the Children’s Museum.

Nature such as what comprises the Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial is what makes the Pacific Northwest so special. Despite being dedicated to the artificial gravestone, the tall trees which typify our region are encircled on a roughly twenty minute walk. uphill It start and ends at the Hoyt Arboretum, and you don’t have to be quiet, but show respect. Like most of Washington Park, you have to go downtown to eat.
I entered from the bottom of the hill. There were lots of signs mostly telling people the obvious about avoiding skateboarding there. A little fountain so beautifully appears once you go under the bridge. Then you walk in these circular paths with include a pedestrian bridge. I was in awe as I was walking around. The trees were complex and varied, the kind that makes a rural bathroom stop so beautiful.
The gravestones showed each year, with each stone having two years of Oregonians who died for their country in a silly war, but who answered the call of duty with honor. The path was a little of a walk, but the slant on the hill combined with the scenery was worth it.
Honor rests on this memorial for the honorable.

The Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial is located within the Hoyt Arboretum, with easy parking across the street near the Zoo. It was inspired by the Washington DC memorial and consists of several polished and curved granite obelisks along a lush spiral path. Each wall (with names you can touch) lists the names of all Oregon residents (by year) who died in Vietnam or are MIA. The walls also provide a history lesson on what was going on back home, while our troops were fighting oversees. It’s one of the best serene and reflective hikes that I have taken in quite awhile.

Park for free across the street from the Memorial site and walk over. The Memorial Bowl is located adjacent to the Hoyt Arboretum in a serene, lush part of Washington Park. The little fountain sparkles in the sunlight and the red leaves on the trees add that touch of beauty to this memorial site.
Each monument lists the names of veterans who served and died in the Vietnam War at different time periods, and at the top of each monument is a little paragraph about random happenings around Oregon during those years (some are really random). Start from the bottom of the bowl and spiral your way up to the top, and you’ll feel like you’re traveling through time as you read each story.
My friend and I stumbled upon this place after visiting the International Rose Test Garden. It was definitely worth a stop.
Check out the Wikipedia article: