The Chapel





Dr. Westphall and his family began work on the Chapel in the fall of 1968 following the death of their son, David, in Vietnam on May 22 of that year. In Vietnam history, 1968 was the year of the Tet Offensive. That same year the largest number of anti-war protests took place in the United States. Building a Chapel to honor Vietnam Veterans was not popular at that time however, the Westphall family perservered and in 1971 the Chapel was dedicated.

At a certain point in time, Dr. Westphall had a vision: that there must be 13 photograph's in the Chapel, and that we would fly the original flag of our nation, which had thirteen stars. One and a half years later, Dr.Westphall learned there were thirteen men killed in the ambush in which, David lost his life. More information can be found in
" DAVID'S STORY ", available in the Visitor's Center.

During the building phase and after completing the installation of the door to the Chapel Dr. Westphall, from force of habit locked the entrance door each evening. One morning he found a message written on a piece of scrap plywood that asked, "Why did you lock me out, when I needed to come in?" Since that time the Chapel doors have never been locked. It may be the only public building in the nation that is never locked.

The Chapel is a place of reflection and quiet. All warriors who cross its threshold find a place of peace and rest.












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