# VisitHuntsvilleTX
NEWCOMERS GUIDE
44 | Welcome To Huntsville 2022
Vietnam
Story by Dee Howard Mullins
The concept of the original memorial was the brain child of Jan Scruggs , a native of rural Maryland and a Vietnam veteran who served in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade . Scruggs had seen and experienced the horrors of war and knew the Vietnam War had divided the country . Soldiers returning home received a less than welcoming and sometimes hostile reception .
Scruggs was committed to change this and honor his brothers in arms who had sacrificed their lives to serve .
He began a protractive journey of networking , meetings , fundraising , lobbying politicians and others . Scruggs wanted to help heal the nation and suggested the country build a national memorial as a symbol that the country cared about those who had served in the Vietnam .
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund , Inc . was established as the nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in1980 to fund and build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington , D . C . The organization sought a tangible symbol of recognition from the American people for those who served in the war . By separating the issue of individuals serving in the military during the Vietnam era and U . S . policy carried out there , V- VMF began a process of national healing . The Memorial was dedicated on Nov . 13 , 1982 and attracts nearly 5 mil-