Star Spangled Stories: How a Maryland native’s vision led to the creation of the Vietnam Veterans

Name: Star Spangled Stories: How a Maryland native’s vision led to the creation of the Vietnam Veterans
Uploaded: 2026-05-20T12:35:00-0400
Duration: 1 min 21 s
Description: Bowie, Maryland, native Jan Scruggs was 19 when he joined the army in 1968, during the Vietnam War. Scriuggs returned home wounded, but envisioned a way to remember those he lost. His idea faced opposition, but he raised millions of dollars for his effort. Then, in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated at the National Mall.

Bowie, Maryland, native Jan Scruggs was 19 when he joined the army in 1968, during the Vietnam War. Scriuggs returned home wounded, but envisioned a way to remember those he lost. His idea faced opposition, but he raised millions of dollars for his effort. Then, in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated at the National Mall.