gray06 Nov-Dec 2009_Gray01_Jan-Feb 2005.qxd.qxd - Korean War ...

Monuments and Medals
Korea: the Forgotten War, Remembered
A first monument of its kind
On a brisk New England day, 11 October 2009, a marker to
honor all Korea veterans who served on the Korean peninsula
was dedicated by KWVA Chapter 299, Korea Veterans of
America, in Bourne [MA] National Veterans Cemetery. The
marker is the first one of its type installed in a national veterans
cemetery in the U.S.
Presentation of a mantle piece to Jack Barnicoat (L-R) Art Griffith, Jeff
Brodeur, Jack Barnicoat, Otis Mangrum
48
The inscription on Ch 299’s memorial
KWVA National Director Jeff Brodeur was on hand with
Bourne National Cemetery Director Paul McFarland to place the
marker on the trail lined with other veterans’ markers.
One week later, Chapter 299 members Art Griffith, Otis
Mangrum, and Jeff Brodeur presented to Jack Barnicoat a
KWVA/KVA mantle piece for his work on the markers.
The second KVA marker was dedicated in the Massachusetts
Veterans Cemetery in Winchendon, MA. It was the first marker
in a state cemetery dedicated to all Korea veterans who served on
the peninsula. We are hoping to dedicate markers in every state
to honor all who have served and died in Korea.
Jeff Brodeur (L) and Paul McFarland (R) at Bourne National Cemetery
Most monuments or markers have the dates 1950-1953 on
them. KVA members have made it their objective to honor all
who have served and died in Korea, past and present, regardless
of year.
As evidenced by the passage of the Korean Defense Service
Medal on 2 December 2002, Korea is still considered an ongoing
campaign, not only by the veterans who have served there after
July 27, 1954, but by Congress and the President. Our chapter
members are hoping to educate the public on the fact that many
service members who served in Korea died in defense of the
Korean peninsula during and after the 1950-53 timeframe. It is
unfortunate the public was never educated on this fact. The
KWVA is now starting to remedy this.
The hope is to let all veterans who served in Korea, regardless
of the dates, know that they are welcome to become members of
the KWVA, and that there were many sacrifices by veterans who
served in Korea both during and after the 1950-53 timeframe.
Jeff Brodeur, KWVA National Director, 48 Square Rigger
Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601
While the G-20 met…Ch 74 did, too
While all the news in Pittsburgh in September 2009 was about
the G-20 protestors, an historical event on the North Shore at the
Korean War Veterans Memorial site went unnoticed. Here for the
G-20 Summit, the President of South Korea, Lee Myung-Bak,
had made known he wanted to visit the Memorial for a wreath
laying ceremony. The members of Ch PA #74, KWVA of Western
Pennsylvania - GEN Matthew B. Ridgeway, made his wish come
true.
On 24 September, at 5 p.m., President Lee Myung-Bak
arrived at the Memorial, where sixteen Korean War veterans
greeted him. After the wreath was placed in memory of Korean
war veterans who made the supreme sacrifice, a moment of silent
prayer, and the playing of “Taps” were completed, the President
November – December 2009
The Graybeards