16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
Vietnam Veteran Shares His First Experience at the Wall with His Granddaughter

Joe F. Cox, Jr of Louisville, Georgia dreamed for years of visiting the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C. after returning from the war. After battling cancer in 2011, his daughter and her husband vowed to make his dream come true and planned a week long trip the next summer of 2012. Joe always wanted to share the experience of the Vietnam Wall with his granddaughter in honor of his fallen brothers of the war who would never have the pleasure of seeing their grandchildren. Joe and wife Patsy along with their daughter, Patty, her husband Johnny, and their 2 year old daughter, Bailey Jo set off to Washington for an unforgettable one week trip to Washington. This picture shows the first stop in the city as Joe shared his first experience at the Vietnam Wall with his only granddaughter, Bailey Jo McDonald.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2016
Date Uploaded: 05.2018
Photo Location: Washington DC, District of Columbia, United States of America
Camera: SLT-A65V
Copyright: © Patty McDonald