🌤 Weather at Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–64 °F | 38–77 °F | 18–69 °F | 9–40 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Angel Fire 1S, 3 mi away, elevation 8,500 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🕊️ Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial — the Peace and Brotherhood Chapel in the Moreno Valley, dedicated in 1971
The Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 34 Country Club Road in Angel Fire, Colfax County, is run by the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services. It was a New Mexico state park until 2017. Since then the department has operated it, and it no longer appears in the New Mexico State Parks list.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Operator | New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services |
| Address | 34 Country Club Rd., Angel Fire, NM 87710 |
| Status | State park until 2017 |
About the Memorial
On May 22, 1968, Lt. Victor David Westphall III, a Marine, was killed in an ambush at Con Thien, Vietnam, just south of the DMZ. His parents, Dr. Victor Westphall and Jeanne Westphall, used his life insurance money to build a chapel in memory of David and the fifteen men who died with him. Construction of the Peace and Brotherhood Chapel began in September 1968, and the chapel was dedicated on May 22, 1971.
Things to Do
Visit the chapel and the memorial grounds, and see the exhibits in the visitor center.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Mild mountain temperatures. Fall: Aspen foliage in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this older than the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.?
Yes. The Peace and Brotherhood Chapel in Angel Fire was dedicated on May 22, 1971, eleven years before the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., was dedicated in 1982. Construction began in September 1968, while the war was still being fought.
Is the Angel Fire memorial still a state park?
No. It was a New Mexico state park until 2017. Since then the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services has run it.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Eagle Nest Lake State Park (a short drive away) or Cimarron Canyon State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
Park Location
Plan your gear for Angel Fire Vietnam Veterans Memorial
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
