{"id":35954,"date":"2025-06-09T09:07:17","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T06:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homeland-news.net\/?p=35954"},"modified":"2025-06-09T09:07:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T06:07:43","slug":"sacred-stars-cias-memorial-wall-turns-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homeland-news.net\/?p=35954","title":{"rendered":"Sacred Stars: CIA’s Memorial Wall Turns 50"},"content":{"rendered":"

The CIA Memorial Wall, 2024.<\/a><\/p>\n

New York – Rashad Alkhader – Homemad News – From New – CIA<\/p>\n

Just inside the main entrance of CIA Headquarters in Langley, Virginia is a white marble wall with a field of stars etched into the cold, hard stone. It is the most sacred space on the Agency\u2019s compound.<\/p>\n

Each star memorializes a life lost in the line of duty, a sacrifice on behalf of our nation.<\/p>\n

The inscription above the constellation reads, \u201cIn honor of those members of the Central Intelligence Agency who gave their lives in the service of their country.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Memorial Wall was created fifty years ago, in 1974, when 31 stars were chiseled into the marble.<\/p>\n

How the Wall Came to Be<\/h3>\n

In February 1973, Agency officers proposed that a memorial plaque be placed at CIA Headquarters to honor employees who had died in Southeast Asia, primarily in Laos and Vietnam. The idea was expanded to recognize all officers who had fallen in the line of duty.<\/p>\n

Master Stone Carver Harold Vogel designed the CIA Memorial. Vogel\u2019s goal was to make the memory of the fallen an integral part of the building. His vision of the CIA\u2019s Memorial emphasized the unity of the stars on the Wall, standing as a field.<\/p>\n

\"Earliest
Earliest known photo of the CIA Memorial Wall, 33 stars.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Vogel\u2019s concept was approved in November 1973; Director William Colby approved the 31 original stars in April 1974.<\/p>\n

Three months later, Vogel carved the Memorial. It was done without fanfare. No ceremony was held; no pictures were taken. The stars and inscription simply appeared.<\/p>\n

The stars sat in silent commemoration for the next 13 years without ceremony<\/p>\n

Warning: This video below may contain flickering or flashing scenes<\/p>\n