Vietnam Conflict Panel
The Vietnam Conflict image consists of the three soldiers returning from patrol. This panel was created with over 20,000 screws. Several Vietnam Veterans installed trim screws and installed them in places that were significant to their identity. Vietnam Veterans that received Purple Hearts have installed their screws where they were injured, and the heads of the screws have a Purple Heart painted on them. Vietnam Veterans that are suffering from the effects of defoliants- Agent Orange, Agent Purple, Agent Green, Agent Blue has their screw heads painted Orange.
A Veteran has donated a bandolier that is placed across the Hispanic soldier similar to the statue in D.C. A simple but powerful addition to the Vietnam Panel is the simplest yet truly desired gesture- a Yellow Ribbon with the words, “WELCOME HOME”. On the back of the Yellow Ribbon are the signatures and messages from the San Diego Chiefs’ Mess and other selected Servicemembers of SURGEMAIN SAN DIEGO. To me, the most powerful aspect of this Panel is the one hundred twenty-five ‘missing’ screws, illuminating light from the respective holes for each missing screw. The one hundred twenty-five missing Screws represent the nearly 1250 Missing In Action from the Vietnam Conflict. The intention is that if we receive a Name or Remains, I would reach out to the family first so they may install the missing Screw in a hole and bring their loved one Home.
In replicating the three Vietnam Conflict Soldiers that stand near the Vietnam Memorial Wall, only one angle allows the viewer to see the images clearly, every other angle leaves the images somewhat or completely distorted, consequently representative of the distortion of War and the most often an unrecognizable individual returning home from combat.
Timeline: 1955-1975Image: replicated statue of the American Soldiers at D.C. MemorialAllies: United States and the Allied PowersAdversary: North Vietnam and southern-based Viet CongMedium: Trim Screws, paint, bandolier, aluminum ribbonParticipants: Gonzo Hensley, Ken Guyer, Steve Boyer, Greg Guidice, Paul Ward, John Billups, Kirby Horrell, Lauren Rutledge, Billy C. Hall, Lew Meyer, Mary Quiroz, Douglas MacDonald, Tom Crosby, Chris Rispoli, Mike Jackson, Frank Belville, Ed, David Harper, Gilbert, Jay, Doc, Aaron Wallace Jr., San Diego Chiefs’ Mess, Class 129 Chief SelecteesCasualties: Approximately 117,000
