The dragons represent the opposing forces of North and South Vietnam. The Texans serving in the American military were allied with the republic in the south against the communist north as the two sides battled for Vietnam’s future.
Sculptor Duke Sundt created the original design of the bronze sculpture honoring Texans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam. The son of a World War II and Korean War veteran and brother of a Vietnam veteran, the New Mexico artist’s work ranges from the Texas Longhorn on the University of Texas campus to a number of military figure sculptures around the nation.
The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument stands as a permanent honor to all Texans who served in the Vietnam War – and as a permanent memorial to the 3,417 Texans who never came home. This memorial is made through The 3417 Project, which individually honors each Texan who died in the Vietnam War.
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