David Westphall Veterans Memorial
at Angel Fire, New Mexico
Following the death of their son, U.S. Marine Corps First Lieutenant Victor David Westphall III, Jeanne and Dr. Victor
Westphall began construction of the Vietnam Veterans Peace and Brotherhood Chapel to honor the memory of their son and the
fifteen men that died with him near Con Thien, South Vietnam on May 22, 1968.
Inside the Visitors Center is a Gift Shop, media room showing the HBO documentary Dear America: Letters Home From Vietnam,
a veterans room honoring those KIA and MIA and a photo gallery room.
Victor David Westphall III rejoined the Marines in 1967. "At the time he made his decision the United States had 385,000
men in South Vietnam and was irretrievably committed there. ..." He viewed this challenge as a task calling for voluntary
dedication, and was willing to do his part. He wrote: 'My fellow citizens pay the taxes to support me, and I intend to be
worth the pay.' As matters developed he was to give even his life to earn his pay. " - David's Story: A Casualty of
Vietnam. 2
The purpose of the David Westphall Veterans Foundation is to honor America's veterans and members of its military forces by
memorializing the sacrifices they have made and by recognizing the sense of duty and the courage they have displayed as they
answered their country's call to arms.
Building a memorial to honor Vietnam veterans was not popular during this time; the country was still involved in an
increasingly unpopular war in Vietnam. However, the Westphall family persevered, relying primarily on its own financial
resources.
Over the years the Westphall Veterans Foundation sought permanent sources of funding. In 1982, the Disabled American
Veterans made a commitment for funds and ownership was turned over to them. In 1985, they broke ground on a badly needed
Visitor Center. The design was considered very carefully due to the distinctive design of the chapel. The result was a
primarily underground structure. From the valley floor all that is visible is the chapel and the flag triad.
In 2004 the DWVF approached the state of New Mexico seeking another source of funding. Governor Bill Richardson saw the
value in helping preserve this unique memorial and on Veterans Day 2005 the site became the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
State Park.
Today, the Memorial is home to the Chapel, the Visitors Center, an authentic Huey helicopter which saw action in Vietnam
during the war, the Veterans Memorial Walkway, a Gift Shop, Memorial Gardens, an amphitheater, as well as the gravesites of
Jeanne and Victor Westphall. The Memorial welcomes over 45,000 visitors annually. 1
