Footnote.Com and the National Archives Launch an Interactive Vietnam War Memorial

The following announcement was written by Footnote.com:

Footnote.com’s innovative social website lets visitors pay tribute to Vietnam War heroes from their PC

Washington DC and Lindon, UT – March 26, 2008– Footnote.com and the National Archives and Records Administration held a press conference at the Archives in Washington DC to announce the release of an online interactive photo of the Vietnam War Memorial.  In addition to releasing this unique version of the Wall, Footnote.com enables visitors to search the Wall for people they know and pay tribute by adding photos, comments and stories of those who lost their lives during the Vietnam conflict.

“The Wall is more than just 58,000 plus names,” explains Richard Schroepfer, a Vietnam War Veteran. “Many of these people were my friends. And now Footnote.com helps me create a remembrance of these fine gentlemen.” 

Footnote.com started the project by contracting the expertise of Peter Krogh, a National Geographic photographer, who was given the challenge to photograph the entire wall.  Creating this online version of the Wall required almost 1,500 individual photos that were stitched together to create one single image.  The process took over five months and resulted in an image that is nearly five gigapixels in size.  Despite the immense size, just about anyone can view the image on Footnote.com via an Internet connection.

Footnote.com partnered with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to link the service records and casualty reports to each name on the Wall. “The records of the Vietnam War in the National Archives are essential resources for veterans to revisit their history and establish their rights,” explains Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein. “These extensive files are mined by scholars every day as they continue to interpret and understand this pivotal period in American history.”  Footnote.com will also be digitizing National Archives photos from the Vietnam War.

Finding someone on the Wall is as simple as typing a name into a search box and letting Footnote.com quickly locate and zoom into the area of the Wall where the individual name can be viewed.  Once the name is located, visitors can see the soldier’s service record and view comments, stories and photos that have been contributed by other visitors.

“Footnote.com is about discovering, discussing, and sharing the stories of our past,” says Russell Wilding, CEO of Footnote.com. “We know that there are many untold experiences represented on that Wall, and we hope that this interactive version of the memorial helps those affected by the war by sharing their stories.”

Footnote.com also provides a way for visitors to create a tribute page dedicated to the brave men and women who served in Vietnam, who may not be on the Wall. These pages become a way for veterans, family and friends to share experiences and feelings about this event that has had a great impact on so many.   Footnote.com hopes that this interactive Wall becomes a means for healing and paying tribute to those whose sacrifice and service have been underappreciated for so long.

To view the Interactive Wall on Footnote.com, go to http://go.footnote.com/thewall?xid=47.

About Footnote, Inc.
Footnote.com is a subscription website that features searchable original documents, providing users with an unaltered view of the events, places and people that shaped the American nation and the world. At Footnote.com, all are invited to come share, discuss, and collaborate on their discoveries with friends, family, and colleagues. For more information, visit www.footnote.com.

About The National Archives
NARA alone is the archives of the Government of the United States, responsible for safeguarding records of all three branches of the Federal Government.  The records held by the National Archives belong to the public – and it is the mission of the National Archives to ensure the public can discover, use, and learn from the records of their government. 

Comments

[Bobbi Hoyt]

Thank you Footnote for making this site free.
The Vietnam Vets were never really acknowledged for the great service and sacrifice when they returned home because Vietnam wasn't a "real war" according to some. Tell that to the families who's sons and daughters didn't make it back. Having access to this for all instead of as a pay site is really a wonderful thing. I'm sure it will be a healing site for many families. We were lucky, my husband did come home.

[Penny in Texas]

It really is super that this part of Footnote is free. How great to be able send friends and family who aren't necessarily into history or genealogy and let them look for "their" VN Vet.

I'm particularly enthused that we can upload pictures of a VN Vet and have it linked that person on site. Beautiful.

Thanks, Footnote, for all you do!

[Dan, desertratdan]

So what does anybody ever do for the people who just can't emotionally go to the wall? I have tried 3 times and turned back each time. Do they just say seek a program or help? And if you have been through the "programs" and there is no help and you still remember the nightmare like it was yesterday? If you think we are still not out here or we are taking care of ourselves then you are sadly mistaken. We don't all want to know the truth, that our friends and comrads names are on that wall. I don't. I shall let the "fog of war" reign forever before I deem it necessary to know my compatriots are no more. Some of us live in shadows to this day and what often lurks inside, wells up to private tears, in helplessness of the facts. It is indeed a brave and noble platitude you have done, but not all of us can stand the pain of truth.
Dan Houston '69 & '70