Final answer:
The public response to the Vietnam Memorial design competition was controversial, with Maya Lin's design initially receiving mixed reactions. However, it later became a widely accepted and poignant symbol of remembrance and has influenced contemporary memorial tribesign.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the "Always to Remember" reading, the public's response to the design competition for a memorial can be described as controversial. Maya Lin's unconventional design for the Vietnam Memorial departed from traditional memorial tributes, featuring a V-shaped wall engraved with the names of those who were killed or went missing during the Vietnam War. The initial reaction was mixed due to its unorthodox nature, but over time, it has become an accepted and essential tribute, honoring the legacy of Vietnam veterans with a reflective and somber approach to remembrance.
The reaction signifies a shift in the contemporary nation-building process in the United States where new forms of memorials, like the one designed by Lin, are emerging. These works contemplate not only the act of remembering but also the significance of the individuals and events memorialized. The Vietnam Memorial now serves as a model for future memorials and a testament to the evolving nature of public commemoration.