Vietnam veterans reflect on the war

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - The nation remembers the heroes who served our country in the Vietnam war, as we mark 50 years since its end.

There's a national monument in our nation's capital that honors the sacrifices of Vietnam servicemembers.

This is said to be the most visited memorial here on the National Mall, attracting more than five million people each year.

In a city filled with monuments, this memorial attracts visitors rain or shine, and for some it comes with a flood of emotions.

"Brings back a lot of memories, a lot of everything you know,” said Vietnam veteran Don Albers.

Built in 1982 the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall rises up from the ground, getting taller as you walk along it.

It’s etched with the names of 58, 281 service members who lost their lives to the war.

“Their country remembers and appreciates their sacrifice through this memorial you see behind me.,” Jim Knotts the president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Memorial fund president Jim Knotts says it was designed to make an impact.

"It gives you that sense of reverence, because it literally is bigger than you are physically and metaphorically,” said Knotts.

Now 50 years after the end of the war Tom Hoffman is part of a group of Wisconsin Vietnam veterans who came to see it.

"Sitting by my best friend's name I kinda got a little teary eyed,” said Hoffman.

Veteran Jim Grimm remembers serving in the war with mixed emotions.

"I was proud to do my duty, but you know in retrospect it wasn't everything it was supposed to be,” said Grimm.

 Which makes this memorial all the more meaningful.

"We got back, nobody wanted anything to do with us Vietnam vets, that memorial healed a lot of people,” said Hoffman.

In fact, the memorial is often called the wall that heals.  A name that rings true for veteran Don Albers.

"We never really had closure when we got home and now this is really it,” said Albers.

The complex history is far from forgotten by those who lived it and now the memorial stands as a reminder to others of what was sacrificed.

"That's what this represents, freedom-it isn't free. It comes at a cost,” said Grimm.