The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Holmdel, NJ

8’ bronze

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and the Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center are companion projects that complement one another. During 1990-1991, design concepts were solicited from New Jersey’s sculpting community for the three statues included in the memorial design. The work of Thomas Jay Warren, formerly of Trenton, was chosen and unveiled at ceremonies in the State House Annex in Trenton, in May 1991.

In the middle of the memorial’s circular pavilion is a red oak, the state tree of New Jersey. This tree provides shade for three statues, one of a dying soldier, one of a nurse tending to his wounds, and one soldier standing at their sides. They represent those who died, the women in the war, and those who came back safely, respectively. They also represent multiple nationalities as the fallen soldier is white, the standing soldier is African American, and the nurse is Latino.

Learn more at the official website of the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ memorial.