The Exhibit Now on Display at the Robert Abrams Building for Law & Justice Building’s Vietnam Memorial Gallery

Learn more about the exhibit HERE.

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy today announced the opening of the Military Medicine: Vietnam War to Present exhibition, which explores the importance of military medicine and highlights the men and women from New York who have saved and changed the lives of America’s service members.  Located in the Robert Abrams Building for Law & Justice Building’s Vietnam Memorial Gallery at the Empire State Plaza, the exhibition will be on view through December 2024.

“The Office of General Services is proud to host the Vietnam Memorial Gallery exhibits in the Robert Abrams Building for Law & Justice Building, “New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said. “New York has the fifth-largest veteran population in the country, and this year’s exhibit places a spotlight on the advancements in military medicine from the Vietnam War to the present. ‘Military Medicine: Vietnam War to Present,’ provides the public with a profound and intimate insight into the extraordinary and commendable acts of military medical professionals.”

New York State Department of Veterans' Services Commissioner Viviana DeCohen said, "The exhibition vividly captures the transformative journey of military medicine from the Vietnam War era to the present day. It showcases the remarkable advancements that have not only saved countless lives but also significantly impacted New Yorkers who have served. Through poignant firsthand accounts, visitors gain a profound understanding of the sacrifice and heroism that define the realm of military healthcare."

The Vietnam War marked a significant turning point in the history of military medicine.  The use of medical evacuation on a large scale dramatically reduced the delay between injury and treatment and saved countless lives. Since then, healthcare in the military has rapidly advanced. Conflicts in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan have led to new methods of training and technology that have propelled survivability of a combat injury to a rate of 92%.

The exhibition highlights include several first-hand accounts and stories from individuals and veterans from New York from all facets of care and diverse backgrounds. Visitors can listen to their intense and emotional narratives, which demonstrate the sacrifice and heroism in saving lives in the extreme arena of war. 

Military Medicine: Vietnam War to Present: will be on view in the Vietnam Memorial Gallery in the Robert Abrams Building for Law & Justice at the Empire State Plaza through December 31, 2024.  Exhibition hours are Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

About the Vietnam Memorial and Gallery

The New York State Vietnam Memorial was created by legislation in 1981. It was designed and built by the New York State Office of General Services, with the assistance of an advisory committee consisting of veterans’ groups and the Division of Veterans’ Services.  It commemorates the military service of New York State residents who served their country in Southeast Asia between 1961 and 1975, including more than four thousand who lost their lives or were declared missing in action. 

The Memorial includes a courtyard with a state honor roll on four bronze panels and an exhibition gallery.  The courtyard is open daily. The gallery is meant to be a “living” memorial featuring changing exhibits, educational programs, and special events.  Exhibits focus on the Vietnam War, Veteran’s issues, and New York State’s Military History.