On July 23 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the carillon tower struck 10 a.m. as members of the Korean War Veterans Association Dutch Nelsen Chapter and the Korean American Society of Colorado Springs launched the commemoration of the 63rd anniversary of the Korean War Armistice and the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the Korean War Monument at Memorial Park.Following the presentation of the colors by the Widefield High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and introductions by chapter president Boni Duran and chapter secretary/historian Mike Thomason, the attendees, with hands over their hearts, sang the American and Korean national anthems.Commissioner Marshall Bosworth read a proclamation by the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners in remembrance of the Korean War. Bosworth said the Korean War is often referred to as the “forgotten war” because the United States government never officially declared war. America’s involvement in the war was referred to as “police action” in the “Korean Conflict.”More than 5.7 million people served in the Korean War, which began June 25, 1950, and ended July 27, 1953.The U.S. Department of Defense reported in April 2015 that 23,613 American service members were killed in action during the war; 2,460 Americans died of wounds received in action; 4,817 Americans were missing in action or prisoners of war and were declared dead; 2,835 Americans died of non-hostile deaths; and 103,284 Americans received non-fatal wounds.The DOD reported that an estimated 70,000 Koreans were killed; 150,000 wounded; and 80,000 taken as prisoners of war.Yoon Ho Chung, Republic of Korean Deputy Consul-General, San Francisco, addressed the crowd.”This is a great sacrifice that we will never forget. Since the Korean War, we have done our best to continue to rebuild our country,î he said. Ö ìKorean people are enjoying democracy, freedom and human rights. Our culture is leading and has allowed us to make contributions to the world. I owe all this to Korean War veterans, to those people who lost their lives and the families who made a lot of sacrifices to defend our country and alliance.”Guest speaker James McGibney, honorary consul of the Republic of Korea in Denver, spoke about the global future, including transportation, energy and food. McGibney, who announced that his term as honorary consul would end this August, said Korean war veterans contributed to the future through their service during the war.”Dr. Seuss starts his book, ‘Oh the places you’ve been, oh, the things that you’ve seen.’ That’s true of all of you: oh, the places you’ve been and the things that you’ve seen. What’s ahead of us is even more fascinating,” McGibney said.He also briefly spoke about driver-less vehicles: “That’s part of the future we’ve got because our country is innovative, because of all that you did to make sure that innovation stays in place.”Saturday’s ceremony also commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Korean War monument in Memorial Park. Dedicated in July 1996, the monument is comprised of black granite and depicts a map of Korea. Beneath the monument rests a time capsule containing photographs, insignia, a membership roster and newspaper articles to be opened by the city of Colorado Springs at a future date.Chung said the monument “means you are carrying the memory of those who dedicated their lives to protect our country and the freedom of our nation.”Following remarks, memorial wreaths and roses were presented, along with a benediction and the playing of taps.Chung closed the ceremony: “Some people say the Korean War is the ‘forgotten war,’ but we will never forget the Korean War. We will never forget your sacrifice and your contributions to defend our country. Ö We will continue to appreciate you and the memory will Ö be forever in our hearts and minds.”The KWVA Dutch Nelsen chapter currently has about 90 members, including widows, and meets the third Saturday of each month at the Elks Lodge at 3400 North Nevada Ave. in Colorado Springs. Anyone who served in the Korean War, in Korean airspace or waters or in Korea after the war is eligible to join the local chapter and/or the national organization.For more information, visit http://kwva.org.
