A visit to the Tri Ân Monument and its digital component will be a memorable experience for all. Soldiers who fought will be able to connect to fellow comrades they served alongside. Sailors will learn the destiny of rescued refugees decades after getting them to safety. Families of the fallen will learn new stories and insights behind their loved one’s sacrifice. Educators and schoolchildren will gain deeper insight to an important part of world history.
The phrase “Tri Ân” means “deep gratitude.” With deep gratitude, we honor those who fought to protect the freedom and democracy for the people of South Vietnam during the war. We thank and honor all who provided the humanitarian efforts that helped millions of Vietnamese refugees make it to safe havens on their journey to freedom after the war.
Design Competition
Over 128 entries from 29 countries participated in the Tri An Monument design competition. This competition was recognized as one of the top 10 architecture competitions worldwide in 2016. Individuals, groups, and organizations strove to create the ideal design to commemorate the dedication the U.S. and South Vietnamese Military exhibited to helping the South Vietnamese people.
The winning design was selected through a vigorous process by a panel of judges to fulfill the criteria of creating a monument that is meaningful, unique, dramatic, and timeless to commemorate those who had fought and sacrificed during the Vietnam War. The design creates an environment that aids the visitors in reflecting upon the triumphs and losses as well as the humanitarian efforts displayed during the war. The monument will fit harmoniously with the tranquil beauty of the nature surrounding the site. Most importantly, the design conveys the overarching meaning of deep gratitude to those who fought to protect and help the South Vietnamese people.
Winning Design
Eight mighty pillars rise in the distance, beckoning passersby to come take a closer look. Upon approaching, visitors are taken into a space unlike any other. The unique design and architecture draws in the eyes, but it’s the meaning behind it that draws in the heart.
The eight bamboo-formed concrete columns stand majestically, reminiscent of the eight anti-communist allies that came together to work toward freedom for the Vietnamese people—South Vietnam, the United States, Australia, Thailand, South Korea, New Zealand, Republic of China (Taiwan), and the Philippines.
The courtyard offers an open space for quiet contemplation, perfect for reflecting upon the historical images and words adorning the surrounding walls.
Subtly dotting the walls are QR codes, allowing visitors to access companion materials digitally and read stories and accounts from the Vietnam War. Visitors will be able to gain an overall appreciation for the events of the Vietnam War along with respect for individual soldiers through the tales surrounding them.
Walls are decorated with photos of those who fought in Vietnam. As visitors stroll through the monument site, the conflict in Vietnam comes to light in a beautiful yet solemn dedication. This is more than a monument; it’s a homage to the heroic battle against Communism and a display of compelling humanity.
A heavy altar of solid Vietnamese granite rests before the eight columns, serving as a threshold between the world of the memorial and the adjacent green hillside. It is the ideal place for contemplation, reflection, and appreciation for this timeless memorial.
Park Enhancement Master Plan
Veteran’s Memorial Park, located in Jeffersontown Kentucky, is being expanded and reconfigured. This master plan rendering shows the proposed layout of park roads, trails and features.
The main entrance to the park from Taylorsville road (Item 16) will be reconstructed to create an entrance circle with a public gathering area at the center (Item 13). Parking is available around the outside perimeter. An existing playground (Item 11) will be relocated from its current location to accommodate this new feature.
A main feature of the park is the display of Veterans Memorials (Item 14) facing Taylorsville Road. Once the new circle drive and parking are developed, the memorials will be more easily accessed by visitors. An existing armored tank, an existing helicopter, and a soon-to-be acquired jet fighter plane are sited among the memorials.
On a hillside adjacent to the memorials is the proposed site of the Tri Ân Monument (Item 15).
