Traveling Korean War Memorial coming to area
Another view of the Traveling Korean War Memorial. Courtesy photo.
REGION – Though 54,246 Americans died during the Korean War, it is often called the “Forgotten War.” An opportunity to remember those that served and died during the conflict will be this weekend from April 25-28, 2019 as the traveling Korean War Memorial comes to Ravenswood, West Virginia.
The traveling memorial will be set up in Washington’s Riverfront Park in Ravenswood. On Thursday, April 25, at 10 a.m. the memorial arrives for installation. The park and the memorial will be open daily. Once set up, the memorial can be seen by car or it may be walked through. It will be lighted at night and open 24 hours a day. There will be someone there to greet visitors as well.
The mobile Veterans Office arrives on April 25 as well and will be open for services Friday through Sunday.
On Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. in the Community Building located at 300 Sycamore Street there will be a free showing of the film “Korean War Stories.”
On Saturday, April 27, there will be a special service. At 10:45 a.m. the 249th Army Band will begin pre-ceremony music. At 11 a.m. there will be a presentation of the Colors by Charleston Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol along with the National Anthem. An invocation will be given by Chaplain Maj. Bryan Knight of the WV Air National Guard followed by welcoming comments and recognition of Korean War Veterans. Several Speakers will follow including: Ravenswood Mayor Josh Miller; Kent Leonardo, USMC (Ret) Lt. Col. and WV Commissioner of Agriculture; Brig. Gen. Christopher Walker, Assistant Adjutant General WVNG and Commander of WV Air National Guard. A wreath laying ceremony will then be held along with a 21 gun salute and Taps.
The Museum will be open for tours from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday as well.
The Traveling Korean War Memorial was built by Ben Burke (Line-X) and Larry Smith (Precise Welding) of Lancaster, Ohio. The soldier statues represent the 5.8 million Americans who served during the Korean War, June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953. As stated before, 54,246 Americans died in hostile actions. Additionally, 8,177 are listed as Missing in Action, 103,284 were wounded and 7,140 were captured.
The Traveling Korean War Memorial has been made possible in part by a grant from the West Virginia Humanities Council along with businesses and individuals including: Jackson County Historical Society; Double P Holdings, Inc. and WV Rentals, Inc.; Ochel Daniels, Vietnam Veteran; Patricia, Harold Lee and Sandra Smith in honor of Korean War Veterans Bob Nichols, Arol Squires, and Ralph Metz; VFW Auxillary Post 6669; Ravenswood Board of Parks and Recreation; City of Ravenswood; Bee Haven Supply; and Boy Scouts of America Troop 43.
