VAU Fallen Heroes Memorial
On Memorial Day 2018, VAU completed our traveling Global War on Terror (GWOT) Memorial Flag. Our small way of honoring close to 7000 GWOT fallen heroes and gold star families. We hope to raise awareness of the sacrifice paid by our nations heroes that keep this country free and flying under one flag.
This 28 foot wide by 6 foot tall American flag symbolizes the shape of the flag when draped on a fallen service members casket. It is formed of approximately 7000 dog tags of all those who have fallen in the War on Terror. There are 50 gold stars honoring all gold star families nationwide. Displayed in front of the flag is a battle field cross sculpted from mahogany wood by female veteran artist Alicia Dietz.
Tags are in alphabetical order ranging from 11SEPT2001 to 01JAN18; thereafter the tags are in chronological order of the date Killed in Action (KIA). Sadly, as the war continues we will continue to fill in the blank tags at the end of the flag.