VietNow National Magazine

Less-Than-Famous War Memorials
Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial
New Mexico

Story by Christian Nelson
Photo by Steve Stuckey

In 1968, when he was killed in combat near the DMZ in South Vietnam, Marine Lt. David Westphall would have had no idea that his family would later honor him and all others who served in that war, by building one of the very first Vietnam War memorials.

Westphall’s father, Dr. Victor Westphall, starting with money from David’s GI insurance policy, started work on the memorial in late summer of 1968. In those days, the political climate was not supportive of the war and was not supportive of veterans of that war, and so getting help and raising funds for the memorial wasn’t easy. But “Doc” Westphall and his wife, Jeanne, and remaining son, Walter, persisted, and the memorial was dedicated on May 22, 1971, the third anniversary of David’s death.

Located high in the mountains, between Taos and Angel Fire, in New Mexico, the soft, gentle curves of the memorial chapel are more comparable to sculpture than to a conventional building. Rising to a height of almost 50 feet, the vast, gull-like structure overlooks the mountain valley below.

In later years, building Vietnam veteran memorials became more popular, but “Doc” Westphall and his family had one idea in mind. Not only to memorialize David, but also to ensure that all who served got proper recognition. One look at Angel Fire is evidence of that success.

For more information, see www.angelfirememorial.com.

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