National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago: My Personal Experience

The National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum of Chicago, Illinois is one of illustrious beauty. It stimulates both the artist and the soldier in all of us. I personally had one of the most exciting and emotional experiences of my life. I highly recommend the NVVAM because it is displaying one of the most important aspects of American history in a highly artistic way.

For $10, you can gain access to the art museum. One of my exhibits hangs from the ceiling. More than 58,000 dog tags that contain the names of the men and women who fought valiantly for their name and country are suspended. When I saw this exhibit, I simply thought about how loving and caring these individuals were. I feel that these dog tags, collectively known as Above & Beyond, are comparable to the Wall in Washington, DC. Both have extreme importance and emotional value.

A collection displaying unity and modernity playing out hand in hand, Ancient Lands, Modern Battles shows soldiers who fight for their country, and are in a sense united as such. The two sides are shown side by side. It really is a deeply riveting experience. I felt that the battles aren't really fought by the soldiers. I think that, after viewing this collection, the nations fight the battles. The soldiers really don't want to.

One of the newer exhibits, The Things They Carried is a collection of artifacts and art that simply show how bonding and united the soldiers were. No matter how difficult a situation, as shown in some paintings, the brotherhood and the sisterhood existed. This collection is inspired by Tim O'Brien's novel, and it fits perfectly. The novel is one of absolute emotion and feeling. The collection of art and artifacts lives up to it's namesake and emulates such power.

You may visit the museum between the hours of 11AM and 6PM on Tuesdays through Fridays, and 10AM and 5PM on Saturdays. I strongly urge you to take a visit to this fantastic museum. I personally began to look back on the American history and honestly honor what I took for granted. These individuals fought for the future and they succeeded. $10 as an adult or $7 as a senior or student really isn't a high price to pay for the invaluable effect the exhibits glow with. One could literally decorate an entire home with the absolute most beautiful souvenirs from the store as well.