The National Veterans Art Museum
Chicago, IL

A profoundly moving museum experience happened to me in 2002. It was at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago. The art, all crated by veterans was a tangible, visual display of the grief and pain of war. As we wandered through the gallery and viewed the art, we could hear a gentle, almost musical metallic sound. It reminded me of windchimes, and was a strange almost calming contrast to the sometimes graphic art on the walls. As we reached the top floor of the museum the musical sound became louder. Then, I looked up and saw Above and Beyond on the ceiling.

When I realized what I had been hearing during my visit to the museum, it took my breath away. I was rendered speechless.

The Above and Beyond installation is suspended from the ceiling and is comprised of 58,307 dog tags. Each dog tag represents an American fatalities in the Vietnam War and is arranged in date order of death. And, each dog tag shows their name, casualty date, and military branch. It is the only memorial other than The Wall in Washington, D.C. to list all those killed in action during the Vietnam War. Additionally, it includes one black dog tag. This serves to remind us of those who died from conditions related to service during the Vietnam War. Above and Beyond was created over a 2-year period. The artists involved were veterans: Rick Steinbock, Ned Broderick, Joe Fornelli, and Mike Helbing. Each dog tag was stamped by hand. This was done using a former military Graphotype machine.

Above and Beyond was originally installed in the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum’s first location on S. Indiana Ave. on May 26, 2001 to coincide with Chicago’s Memorial Day parade. (This is where I first saw the exhibit, but I have seen it at it’s current location as well.)

Over time, the museum expanded. It dropped “Vietnam” from its name in 2010. It opened itself to art from veterans of all wars. In 2012, the museum moved to its current location in Portage Park. However, the new location could not house Above and Beyond . In 2013, the exhibit was boxed away. It stayed in storage until 2016. Then, it was reinstalled at its current location in the Harold Washington Library Center in Chicago’s Loop. Above & Beyond conclude its run at Harold Washington Library Center in February 2026.

The Pritzker Military Museum & Library collaborated with the National Veterans Art Museum. They also worked with the Harold Washington Library Center. This collaboration helped to contextualize the exhibit. Visitors at Harold Washington can explore a collection of videos. They can also browse photographs related to the Vietnam War. These materials help provide background on the conflict. The conflict claimed the lives of those memorialized in Above and Beyond. Visitors can use the touch screen. They can search through the list of Vietnam fatalities. They can also view photos of the soldiers represented by each tag.

Visitors are encouraged to join us before this exhibition is deinstalled in February 2026.