Mineral Wells Area News

By Susan Pate / Special to Mineral Wells Area News

If you haven’t had an opportunity to visit The National Vietnam War Museum at 12685 Mineral Wells Highway, then you’re missing out because it is truly a treasure for the community of Mineral Wells and the extended area.

The museum highlights the history of the more than 40,000 service men and women who served in the Vietnam War and passed through Fort Wolters in the late 1960s to early 1970s.

The museum is the fruit of more than 20 years of hard work, dreams and boots on the ground fundraising of several Vietnam War veteran helicopter pilots who were determined to ensure their story was ensconced for future generations.

The museum board and countless volunteers worked tirelessly, and the museum officially held its grand opening on 25 June 2022. Since then, a phase II construction’s groundbreaking was celebrated on October 21st of 2023.  

The goal of The National Vietnam War Museum is to present an unbiased and balanced view of the events and participants of the Vietnam Era and to allow visitors to form their own opinions based on facts.

As the museum grows, it is ensuring that more stories are told in order to educate our communities and the youth.

Phase II “Women In War”

The focus area for the phase II construction at the museum will be a “Women in War” exhibit. The Sons and Daughters of the Vietnam War (SDVW) along with museum staff have been working to make this exhibit come to fruition for more than a year and need the community’s help to get over the finish line.

Members of the SDVW worked diligently to reach out to women veterans and civilians who served in Vietnam to ensure that their stories were told and enshrined for history. 

Several women from the nursing field, Donut Dollies, and other service roles were filmed telling their stories and sharing their experiences. These interviews of extraordinary women will be placed on display in the museum and preserved for educating future generations.

To help fund this endeavor, community donations and involvement complement are needed to ensure that this exhibit becomes a reality.

The fundraising goal to make this exhibit come to life is $35,000. It is our hope that you will support the “Women In War” exhibit through our fundraising effort for The National Vietnam War Museum. 

You may send a donation directly to the Museum with the designation that your donation is for the women’s exhibit at: The National Vietnam War Museum, PO Box 1779, Weatherford, TX 76086. Or, you may donate online here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/womensexhibit/

Thank you for your consideration in support of the Museum and its exhibits. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, your donations are tax deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. (Tax ID: 75-2818568). For more information you can reach out to The Sons and Daughters of the Vietnam War at SDVW.info@gmail.com