Now On View
Vietnam Memorial Gallery
Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice
Monday - Friday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Few moments are as difficult as when a soldier leaves home for war. During the Vietnam War, young Americans faced combat abroad, fighting a complicated war while their nation struggled with civil unrest and questions about the war.
This exhibition marks 50 years since U.S. troops withdrew from Vietnam, ending over a decade of conflict. The letters on display—sent by sons, daughters, siblings, and parents—capture raw emotion, offering comfort or bearing tragic news. They reveal personal stories of courage, loss, and resilience, honoring the New Yorkers who served and shedding light on the human cost of war.
Please Note: Content Warning and Resources
This exhibition contains sensitive material and includes graphic descriptions of war that may be triggering to individuals. Please take precautions for your personal well-being. If this exhibition will be traumatizing for you, then you may choose to forgo it.
Please be aware that these letters and firsthand accounts also contain language that may be offensive.
Explore the Letters
These letters were written by or sent to people serving in Vietnam
Further Archive of Digitized Letters
Thank You
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations who contributed letters to the exhibition:
Rick Bartholomew
Rich Beiter
Barb Cessna
Martha Deed
Arlene Fairhurst-Kister
Carrie Farley
Kat Fitzpatrick
Joan Furey
Evelyn Ginney
Alicia Cammann Grice
Livingston County Historian's Office
Vincent J. Maligno
Bill Nelson
Bob Nevins
New York State Military Museum
New York State Library
Ellen and Paul Rosebrugh Archives
Robert Santos
USS Slater
Georgia L. Thomas
Anthony Tuczynski
Heather Zuckerbrot
Mail Call: Letters From/To Vietnam was produced by the Office of General Services Curatorial & Visitor Services Department and made possible with generous assistance and support of the following:
Robert Allyn, Tri-County Vietnam Era Veterans
Michael Bocchini, NYC Department of Veterans’ Services
Barbara Cessna, Fenton History Center, Jamestown, New York
Erwin (Dom) Dominguez, Albany Stratton VA Medical Center
John Epp, USS Slater
Carrie Farley, Gold Star Mothers, Inc. Albany Chapter
Ned D. Foote, New York State Council of Vietnam Veterans of America
Madeline Friedler, Livingston County Historian’s Office
Julie Harpin, U.S Army Fort Drum, New York
William Kosek, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 357 Schenectady, New York
Scott Leslie, Albany County Veterans Service Bureau
Cindy Meili, Veteran Service Agency, Syracuse, New York
Bill Nelson, Friends of Vietnam Veterans Plaza NYC
New York State County and City Veterans Service Agencies
New York State Department of Veterans’ Services
New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs
New York State Library, Manuscripts and Special Collections
New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center
New York State Museum
Robert Santos, New York City Vietnam Memorial Commission
Bill Schaaf, Patriot Guard Riders NY
Colonel Jimmy Tom, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration
Vietnam Veterans of America, New York
