Vietnam Veterans Park in Vermont: Location, History, Events & Visitor Guide
Vermont’s primary Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located at the Sharon Welcome Center on I-89 North in Sharon, Vermont. Dedicated on October 30, 1982, it was the first state-sanctioned Vietnam War memorial in the United States. The memorial honors the 138 Vermonters who died in Vietnam and the 7,236 who served.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Sharon Welcome Center, I-89 North (north of Exit 1), Sharon, VT 05065 |
| Dedicated | October 30, 1982 |
| Historical Significance | First state-sanctioned Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the United States |
| Honors | 138 Vermonters killed in action; 7,236 Vermonters who served |
| Hours | Daily, 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Admission | Free |
| Phone | (802) 281-5216 |
| Official Agency | Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development |
| Annual Event | Memorial Day all-night vigil |
| Updated For | 2026 |
Where Is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Vermont?
The primary Vermont Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located at the Sharon Welcome Center on Interstate 89 North, just north of Exit 1 in Sharon, Vermont. The physical address is I-89 North, Sharon, VT 05065. The welcome center sits at mile marker 8 on the northbound side of the highway.
The memorial is an outdoor circular stone structure situated on the grounds of the welcome center. It serves as the focal point of a stone amphitheater designed for private and group remembrances.
GPS Coordinates: 43.72719° N, 72.42585° W
Directions:
From White River Junction: Take I-89 North approximately 15 miles to the Sharon Welcome Center (northbound side only).
From Burlington: Take I-89 South to Exit 1, then follow signs to the northbound rest area.
From New Hampshire: Enter Vermont via I-89 North from Lebanon or via I-91 to I-89 North.
Important note: The memorial is accessible only from the northbound lanes of I-89. Southbound travelers must continue to the next exit and turn around. The welcome center is open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Admission is free.
History of the Vermont Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Vermont Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on October 30, 1982, making it the first government-sanctioned Vietnam War memorial in the United States. The national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., was not officially dedicated until November 13, 1982 — two weeks later.
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Check EligibilityThe memorial honors the 138 Vermonters who died in the Vietnam War. Their names are engraved on a granite monument. The site also pays tribute to the 7,236 Vermont men and women who served during the Vietnam era.
Why Sharon, Vermont?
Local historians note that the location was carefully chosen for several reasons:
Geographic resemblance: The stretch of Interstate 89 near Sharon resembles Highway One in the central highlands of Vietnam. The surrounding scenery is reminiscent of the Southeast Asian countryside.
Symbolic distance: The memorial is located near the 138-mile marker from the Canadian border — symbolizing the 138 Vermont lives lost.
Historical context: I-89 was historically the preferred route into Canada for those wishing to avoid the military draft.
Proximity to VA care: Many families drive past the site to reach the VA Hospital in nearby White River Junction.
Highway Dedication
On May 29, 1982, Interstate 89 was officially dedicated as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. The highway runs approximately 130 miles from White River Junction to Highgate at the Canadian border.
2005 Rededication
The site was rededicated in 2005 with the inscription: “In memory of the men and women from Vermont who served in the Vietnam War and later died, we honor and remember their sacrifice.”
Preservation Efforts
John Miner, a Vietnam veteran and advocate, played a critical role in the memorial’s creation and preservation. When the state proposed closing the Sharon rest area, Miner advocated effectively to prevent the closure, ensuring the memorial remained accessible to the public.
The Sharon Welcome Center: A Unique Memorial Setting
The Sharon Welcome Center is not a typical highway rest stop. It combines a Vietnam veterans memorial, a visitor information center, and a model of environmental sustainability in a single facility.
Inside the Welcome Center
The main hall features a slate and glass honorific column inscribed with the names of the 7,236 Vermont men and women who served in Vietnam. Natural light from skylights bathes the column. Warm air rising from the top of the column helps heat the room.
Additional Vietnam-era displays, historical information, and memorabilia are located inside the center.
The Living Machine
The welcome center is home to the “Living Machine” — an octagonal greenhouse that uses plants and micro-organisms to recycle wastewater from the building’s restrooms. The treated water is reused for flushing toilets, saving considerable water for a facility that receives upward of 1,500 visitors per day.
The Living Machine features butterfly ginger, umbrella plants, water parsley, red cana lilies, and German ivy growing in circular planter-tanks. Interpretive signs explain the natural water treatment process to visitors.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling
The welcome center uses a geothermal system with 24 wells, each 420 feet deep, to heat and cool the building. The system also melts snow and ice from walkways without shoveling. This reduces operating costs and greenhouse gas production by thousands of pounds annually.
Visitor Amenities
The Sharon Welcome Center offers:
Free Wi-Fi
Free coffee
Restrooms
Picnic tables
Vending machines
Staffed visitor information desk
Colorful Adirondack chairs with mountain views
Pamphlets on Vermont attractions, breweries, and fishing holes
Other Vietnam Veterans Memorials in Vermont
While the Sharon memorial is the primary state-sanctioned Vietnam Veterans Memorial, several other communities in Vermont maintain their own tributes to Vietnam veterans.
| Location | Memorial Name | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharon | Vermont Vietnam Veterans Memorial | I-89 North, Sharon, VT 05065 | First state-sanctioned Vietnam memorial in the U.S.; honors 138 KIA and 7,236 who served |
| Rutland | Rutland County Vietnam Veterans Memorial | 45 South Main Street, Main Street Park, Rutland, VT 05701 | Dedicated Memorial Day 2000; honors 126+ Rutland County Vietnam veterans |
| White River Junction | Hartford Veterans Park Monument | 12 Railroad Row, White River Junction, VT | Dedicated May 25, 2026; honors Korean, Vietnam, and post-1975 veterans |
| Newport | Newport Vietnam Veterans Memorial | Gardner Memorial Park, Newport, VT 05855 | Stone carving memorial in Gardner Memorial Park |
| Morrisville | Morrisville Veteran’s Memorial | Main Street, Morrisville, VT | Granite memorial near the county courthouse |
| Wallingford | Veterans Memorial Park | South Main Street, Wallingford, VT 05773 | Dedicated May 25, 2009; honors veterans of multiple eras |
Rutland County Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Rutland County Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located at Main Street Park in Rutland. When the monument was unveiled on Memorial Day 2000, it featured 126 names of Rutland County residents who served in Vietnam. Today, the honor roll contains over 300 names, including 18 men killed in action.
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1 transferred maintenance of the memorial to the City of Rutland in early October of that year.
Hartford Veterans Park Monument
A new granite monument with a golden eagle at its top was dedicated on May 25, 2026 at Veterans Park in White River Junction. The monument recognizes the service of veterans who served in the Korean, Vietnam, and 1975–2025 eras. Nearly 900 names were gathered for the monument.
Newport Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Located in Gardner Memorial Park in Newport, this stone carving memorial commemorates the Vietnam War. A memorial bench, “For My Vietnam Brothers,” is also located within the park.
Annual Events and Ceremonies
Memorial Day All-Night Vigil
The most significant annual event at the Vermont Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Sharon is the Memorial Day all-night vigil. Volunteers and veterans gather at the memorial beginning at midnight and remain until daybreak.
Veterans typically arrive an hour or two before the vigil begins to meet and greet friends. Some come alone. The vigil is a solemn observance honoring those who died in Vietnam.
An eternal flame installation at the site ensures the light of veteran service is never extinguished.
Vietnam Veterans Commemoration Ceremonies
Vermont hosts Congressionally authorized Vietnam Veterans Commemoration Ceremonies throughout the state. These events include pinning ceremonies where Vietnam veterans receive commemorative lapel pins and presidential proclamations.
In March 2025, the Neighborhood Connections office in Londonderry hosted a ceremony that drew more than 75 people, including 21 pin recipients and their spouses. A similar event in Southwestern Vermont featured a VA representative, a band from the Brattleboro American Legion Post 5 Concert Band, and a light lunch.
The Wall That Heals
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s Traveling Wall, known as “The Wall That Heals,” has visited Vermont multiple times. This half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is exact to the letter and inch. It has been displayed at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction and other Vermont locations.
Vermont Thunder Ride
The Vermont Thunder Ride is an annual motorcycle ride that begins at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial off I-89 in Sharon. Established on Memorial Day 1992 by Bill Fitzpatrick, the ride honors Vermont’s Vietnam veterans and raises funds for the memorial.
In Memory Program
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s In Memory Program honors Vietnam veterans who died after returning home but whose deaths were not recognized on the national memorial. In 2026, four Vermont veterans were inducted into the program. More than 760 Vietnam veterans were honored nationwide that year.
Visitor Guide: Planning Your Trip
Best Times to Visit
Summer (June–August): Warm weather, full access to outdoor memorial and amphitheater. The welcome center is busiest during peak tourist season.
Fall (September–October): Foliage season brings spectacular views of the Green Mountains from the welcome center. Crowds are moderate.
Memorial Day (late May): The annual all-night vigil and commemorative ceremonies draw veterans, families, and community members. Plan for crowds.
Winter (November–March): The memorial remains accessible. Heated walkways keep the path to the monument clear of snow and ice. The welcome center is open daily.
What to Bring
Camera for photographs of the memorial and mountain views
Jacket or sweater — the welcome center sits on a hill and can be breezy
Picnic lunch to enjoy at the outdoor tables
Comfortable walking shoes for exploring the grounds
A small American flag or remembrance item if you wish to leave a tribute
Accessibility
The welcome center and memorial grounds are designed for accessibility. The walkways leading to the outdoor memorial and encircling the amphitheater are heated and remain clear of snow and ice in winter. The facility has restrooms and level pathways.
Nearby Attractions
White River Junction VA Medical Center — Approximately 15 miles north; serves veterans from Vermont and New Hampshire
Quechee Gorge — Vermont’s “Little Grand Canyon,” about 20 minutes south
Dartmouth College — In Hanover, New Hampshire, about 30 minutes east
Woodstock, Vermont — Historic village with shops, restaurants, and covered bridges
King Arthur Baking Company — In Norwich, Vermont, about 25 minutes northeast
Where to Stay
The Sharon area offers limited lodging. Most visitors stay in White River Junction, Woodstock, or Lebanon, New Hampshire — all within 30 minutes of the memorial. Camping is available at nearby state parks, including Quechee State Park and Silver Lake State Park.
How to Add a Name to the Sharon Vietnam Honor Roll
The State of Vermont maintains an honor roll of all veterans from Vermont who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The honor roll is displayed at the Sharon Welcome Center.
Eligibility
Veterans who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War era and have a connection to Vermont may be eligible to have their name placed on the Sharon Vietnam Honor Roll.
How to Apply
Contact the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs at 118 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05620-4401.
Request an application to have a name placed on the Sharon Vietnam Honor Roll.
Complete and submit the application by mail or fax.
Approved applications are forwarded to the Sharon Rest Area staff, who make arrangements to update the honor roll.
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (802) 828-5932
Website: veterans.vermont.gov
Common Mistakes and What to Know Before You Go
1. Expecting to access the memorial from the southbound lanes. The Sharon Welcome Center is on the northbound side of I-89 only. Southbound travelers must continue to the next exit and turn around. Plan your route accordingly.
2. Assuming the welcome center is open 24 hours. The welcome center is open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The outdoor memorial may be accessible outside these hours, but the indoor exhibits and facilities are not.
3. Confusing the Sharon memorial with other Vermont Vietnam memorials. Vermont has multiple Vietnam veterans memorials in Rutland, White River Junction, Newport, and other communities. The Sharon memorial is the state-sanctioned memorial and the first in the nation.
4. Not allowing enough time. The Sharon Welcome Center is more than a rest stop. Visitors often spend 30–60 minutes exploring the memorial, honor roll, Living Machine, and mountain views. Plan accordingly.
5. Forgetting to check for special events. Memorial Day and Veterans Day often feature ceremonies, vigils, and commemorative events at the memorial. Check the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs website or local news for schedules.
6. Missing the indoor honor roll. The slate and glass honorific column inside the welcome center lists the names of 7,236 Vermonters who served in Vietnam. Many visitors focus on the outdoor memorial and miss this indoor tribute.
7. Not leaving a tribute. Visitors are welcome to leave small tributes at the memorial — flags, flowers, or personal items. Check with welcome center staff for guidelines.
Key Takeaways
Vermont’s primary Vietnam Veterans Memorial is in Sharon, at the Sharon Welcome Center on I-89 North. It was dedicated on October 30, 1982.
It was the first state-sanctioned Vietnam War memorial in the United States, predating the national memorial in Washington, D.C., by two weeks.
The memorial honors 138 Vermonters killed in Vietnam and the 7,236 who served. Names of the fallen are engraved on a granite monument.
The welcome center is open daily, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Admission is free. It is accessible only from the northbound lanes of I-89.
An all-night vigil is held each Memorial Day, beginning at midnight and lasting until daybreak.
The site features the “Living Machine,” a greenhouse-based wastewater recycling system, and a geothermal heating and cooling system.
Other Vermont Vietnam memorials are located in Rutland, White River Junction, Newport, Morrisville, and Wallingford.
Veterans can apply to have their name added to the Sharon Vietnam Honor Roll through the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs.
The Wall That Heals, a half-scale replica of the national memorial, has visited Vermont multiple times.
The Vermont Thunder Ride, an annual motorcycle ride, begins at the Sharon memorial each Memorial Day.
Common Questions
Where is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Vermont?
The primary Vermont Vietnam Veterans Memorial is at the Sharon Welcome Center on I-89 North in Sharon, Vermont. The physical address is I-89 North, Sharon, VT 05065. It is accessible only from the northbound lanes, just north of Exit 1.
When was the Vermont Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedicated?
It was dedicated on October 30, 1982. This makes it the first state-sanctioned Vietnam War memorial in the United States, predating the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which was dedicated on November 13, 1982.
How many names are on the Vermont Vietnam Veterans Memorial?
The outdoor granite monument is engraved with the names of the 138 Vermonters who died in the Vietnam War. Inside the welcome center, a slate and glass column lists the names of 7,236 Vermont men and women who served during the Vietnam era.
What are the Sharon Welcome Center hours?
The Sharon Welcome Center is open daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The outdoor memorial may be accessible outside these hours, but the indoor exhibits, restrooms, and visitor information desk are available only during operating hours. Admission is free.
Is there a Memorial Day event at the Vermont Vietnam Veterans Memorial?
Yes. An all-night vigil is held each Memorial Day at the Sharon memorial. Volunteers and veterans gather beginning at midnight and remain until daybreak. Veterans often arrive an hour or two early to meet and greet friends.
What other Vietnam memorials are in Vermont?
Other Vermont Vietnam memorials include the Rutland County Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Main Street Park in Rutland, the Hartford Veterans Park Monument in White River Junction, the Newport Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Gardner Memorial Park, and memorials in Morrisville and Wallingford.
Can I add a veteran’s name to the Sharon Vietnam Honor Roll?
Yes. The State of Vermont maintains an honor roll of all Vermont veterans who served in Vietnam. Contact the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs in Montpelier at (802) 828-5932 to request an application. Approved names are forwarded to the Sharon Welcome Center staff.
What is the Living Machine at the Sharon Welcome Center?
The Living Machine is an octagonal greenhouse that uses plants and micro-organisms to recycle wastewater from the welcome center’s restrooms. The treated water is reused for flushing toilets. The system is designed as an educational exhibit and is open to visitors.
Is the Vermont Vietnam Veterans Memorial accessible in winter?
Yes. The walkways leading to the outdoor memorial and encircling the amphitheater are heated by a geothermal system that keeps them clear of snow and ice. The welcome center is open daily year-round.
What is the Vermont Thunder Ride?
The Vermont Thunder Ride is an annual motorcycle ride that begins at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Sharon on Memorial Day. It was established in 1992 by Bill Fitzpatrick and honors Vermont’s Vietnam veterans while raising funds for the memorial.
Official Resources
Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs — veterans.vermont.gov
Sharon Welcome Center — informationcenter.vermont.gov/centers/sharon-welcome-center
Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development — accd.vermont.gov
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1 (Rutland) — vietnamvetschapter1.org
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund — vvmf.org
National War Memorial Registry — nationalwarmemorialregistry.org
VA.gov — White River Junction VA Medical Center — va.gov/white-river-junction-health-care
Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services — bgs.vermont.gov
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