Merz & Associates, L.L.C. of Detroit, Michigan has been selected to design and oversee the $400,000 project. Several physical and landscape features of the monument, dedicated in November 2001, now require maintenance. These include grass and plantings, walkway surfaces and control joints, metal finishes and lighting fixtures.

The directory of the names of the Vietnam casualties will be redesigned to improve clarity. Since the memorial's fabrication in the summer of 2001, nine servicemen whose names appear on the memorial as missing in action have been identified and returned to their families. The new directory will identify these men.

To assist the blind and visually-impaired during a visit to the memorial a maquette, a scale model of the monument, will be displayed near the directory of the names. The Veterans Memorial Park Commission and Merz & Associates continue to work towards improvements to the monument that increases accessibility for people with disabilities.

This project received funds raised by the Vietnam Memorial Monument Commission for the original construction, and donations from the citizens of Michigan and the sale of "Lest We Forget" automobile license plates. Information about this fundraising license plate is available at www.michigan.gov/sos (select "Owning a Vehicle" from the left side navigation list then go to the "License Plate Store").

Additional information about the Vietnam Memorial Monument is available at www.michigan.gov/veterans (select "Vietnam Memorial" from the History & Statistics menu). To apply to use the property for an event please contact the Michigan Department of Management and Budget, Facilities Administration, Security and Emergency Management Division at 517.335.6735.