LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Korean War Veterans Memorial
built 118 days ago
The original idea for a Korean War Memorial of some type came from a Korean woman who was saved by American troops during the Korean War. According to the Korean War Project, one of the premier Korean War websites on the Internet, Chayon Kim decided to take action to make such a memorial happen in 1979. Naturalized citizens of the United States, Kim formed the "National Committee for the Korean War Memorial." Hal Barker said, "She aggressively began a search for a location and supporters. She developed a detailed plan, and met with every governmental agency involved in approving such a project." As happens in so many organizations that start out as a good cause, the Committee removed their founder as the project gathered strength. There were many internal problems with the Committee before and after that, much of them recounted in hearings before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, US Senate, on October 29, 1985. The Committee eventually went defunct, and legislation to establish a memorial did not pass.
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In 1988 members of the Northeast New York Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association decided that the county should have a memorial dedicated to the 22 casualties from the county. After years of effort and of fundraising, the groundbreaking took place in October 1995 and the official dedication occurred on May 30, 1996. The principal speaker at the dedication was Stephen G. Olmstead, LtGen USMC (Ret). The General entered the Army in 1950 as an enlisted man from Albany County, N.Y. and was sent to Korea. On the Memorial is a bronze plaque (close-up view above) with the names of the casualties.
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The Apex walkway or plaza is a popular gathering place for visitors to the Korean War Veterans Memorial. From its vantage point, visitors can view, head on, the column of stainless steel soldiers appearing to advance towards them. Here, the Army Corps of Engineers and National Park Service turned to Band, Inc. to design an Apex lighting system solution that, while providing safety lighting for the Memorial's nighttime visitors, would in no way stand out against the surrounding Memorial during daylight hours.
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Korean War Veterans Memorial, an area of remembrance, consists of a circular reflecting pool at the apex surrounded by a grove of 40 Linden trees. "Freedom Is Not Free" is engraved on the segment of wall that extends into the pool area.
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Two polished black granite stones, each six feet in height, with a total length of 11 feet will be inscribed in gold letters with the well-known phrase often used in relation to the Korean War, "Freedom is Not Free." The larger stone will list the 191 service men and women, who made the supreme sacrifice in the Korean War. The smaller stone will be inscribed with a map of Korea that depicts some of the War's key geographic locations. Five service flags will surround the Memorial, and the U.S. Flag and the Korean War Flag will be located at the entrance to the Walkway. A stone wall will be constructed on site to create architectural interest. The brick walkway will include inscribed bricks and pavers, honoring veterans and community members.
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Korean War Veterans Association has been formed to undertake the task of erecting a Korean War Monument in Veterans Memorial Park. Monthly meetings are held on the third Saturday of the month, 9AM at American Legion 240. 8666 Gulf Beach Hiway. For more information, contact the President of the Korean War Veterans Association at 850 934-4645.
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Korean War Veterans Memorial