Community Corner
60 Years After Armistice, Tampa To Dedicate Korean War Memorial
Walt Raysick of Valrico talks about the July 27 Korean War Memorial dedication at Veterans Memorial Park. The "forgotten war" ended July 27, 1953.
They call it the "Forgotten War" but today memories will burn bright at Veterans Memorial Park in Tampa, where a dedication ceremony has been set for the Korean War Memorial.
This day in history, sixty years ago, on July 27, "after three years of a bloody and frustrating war, the United States, the People's Republic of China, North Korea, and South Korea agree to an armistice, bringing the Korean War to an end," according to History.com. "The armistice ended America's first experiment with the Cold War concept of 'limited war.' "
Remembering the war, its end, its meaning and its soldiers will be at the forefront at the newly opened memorial at 3602 U.S. Highway 301 in Tampa, the address for Veterans Memorial Park and Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins Jr. Veterans Museum.
"Just like Vietnam, the Korean War was never a declared war," said Walt Raysick of Valrico, president of the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County. "Coming off [the end of] World War II in 1945, this war started in 1950. This was was not a declared war, but we lost 37,576 soldiers. And 51 percent of the 7,140 prisoners of war died in captivity due to brutality."
The Korean War Memorial "is a way of recognizing these folks for what they did," Raysick added. "Korean War veterans are in their late 70's to mid-80's. Today they are dying at the same rate as World War II veterans.
Adjacent to the Korean War Memorial is the recently relocated First Lt. Baldomero Lopez, USMC, Medal of Honor Memorial. He received the medal posthumously during the Inchon Invasion of the Korean War in 1950. Lopez Elementary School, at 200 North Kingsway Road in Seffner, is named in his memory.
Today's dedication ceremony is set to open with a welcome by master of ceremonies Ralph Hawkins, president of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA), Chapter 175. Vice president Albert McAdoo will lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
National colors were to be presented by the Joint Services Color Guard from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa. Set to give the invocation, Young Chang Ha, born in North Korea, who fled to South Korean in 1948, where he was educated before relocating to the United States. In America he earned a doctorate of ministry degree from the Claremont School of Theology. He retired as a Capt. U.S. Navy Chaplain.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, the featured speaker, will present a signed proclamation from the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners. The Tampa Bay Korean Women's Chorus will perform. Also on tap, a POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony and a Memorial Wreath Tribute. The Marine Corps League, Detachment 1226, Riverview, will conduct a rifle salute and "Taps." Mary Ellen Harlan, chaplain for the veterans council, is set to offer the benediction.
Overall, "the day for me, it's just pride in that we're going to recognize those Korean War veterans for the services they performed," Raysick said. Similar to the experiences of Vietnam veterans on their return home, there was no recognition for the Korean War veteran along the lines of those in view for veterans returning home from World War II, the so-called "great war," he added.
"Today is another statement of saying to the Korean War veteran, 'Welcome home,' " Raysick added. "Welcome home from the 'forgotten war,' and we enjoin with you, we salute you, and we support you."
_____
This article was updated 10 a.m. July 27, 2013.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here
