Under a previous firm, Frank Messineo, provided on-site construction administration services for the $7 million dollar, open-air pavilion which measures 200’ wide and 8’ tall and houses 366 black granite panels which represent one day of the year. Each panel is engraved with the name, date of birth and date of casualty of each of the 1,562 New Jerseyans who did not return home. A 30’ tall Red Oak Tree which symbolizes the state from which those servicemen and women came stands at the center of the memorial. Under the tree’s canopy is a bronze statue of three figures—one representing all of those who served and came home, one symbolizing the women who served and one honoring all who did not return home.
Several years later Frank provided construction administration for the 11,500 square foot companion project; the Vietnam Era Educational Center built behind the memorial. The Educational Center/Museum houses visual and audio educational displays, memorabilia and historic data to provide visitors with a comprehensive and chronological understanding of the events that occurred before, during and after the Vietnam War.