The KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL , the "Forgotten War" It still has world-wide implications today.
Written: Nov 22 '03 (Updated Jun 01 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A short walk from the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial.
Cons: 'Twas too long a wait for this memorial dedicated to the heroes of The-Forgotten-War.
The Bottom Line: It is important to remember history and honor those who fought for the freedoms we have today.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Korean War Veterans Memorial |
Last weekend I, once again, had business in Washington DC and took out time to visit the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
BRIEF HISTORY
On June 25th, 1950 the communist country of North Korea entered and attacked the democratic country of South Korea. The US still had troops in Japan. They moved some of them to the Korean peninsula in support of the free nation. The US, though it supplied most of the troops in combat, was not alone. They were supported by 22 nations under the UN flag. ONE AND A HALF MILLION Americans were involved in this three year war. Over 30,000 lost their lives.
The war ended in pretty much a stalemate. To this day the south is a free and democratic country. The north is still communist run. Once again there are threats by the north as they build up a nuclear program with the help of US dollars!
Appeasement does not always work with dictators and leaders that have evil intentions. Our leaders must be on guard for the sake of all freedom loving countries. Who else will stand up?
THE FORGOTTEN WAR
After the big war, WWII, the action in the Korean war was never declared. It was said to be a "police action". Regardless of anybody's take on the politics of the war, many US men and woman lost their lives. Over the years the Korean War was kind of pushed under the rug. The Vietnam War gained much more attention and, in fact, the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial was built and dedicated well before the Korean War Memorial was.
Finally an advisory board was appointed by then president Ronald Reagan. Years later, the memorial was dedicated July 27, 1995.
SOME FACTS
The memorial grounds are open everyday but Christmas from 8AM till Midnight. It is staffed by a ranger who can answer questions and perhaps, depending on how busy they are, give a talk. I will say you have to look for these men and woman. They cover a large area. The memorial is 2.2 acres in size just southeast of the Lincoln Memorial. It is directly south of the Vietnam Memorial. The three are all within a five minute walk of each other. You can get souvenirs and other info about the Korean War Memorial in the small store at the Lincoln Memorial. The grounds are relatively flat and wheel chair accessible. Just a note, there is an elevator that can take wheel chairs up and into the Lincoln Memorial. Ask one of the rangers for information.
There are a number of memorabilia shops in the area between the Korean Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial. Many of these rag tag looking places are run by Vietnam vets. I believe Korean Vets would like to see there wares.
As far as food in the area, you are in Washington DC. Restaurants are found through out the city. I have found that Chinatown, though a small area is a good place for inexpensive meals and a chance to sit down after a hard morning or afternoon of site seeing.
You will find many outside trailers with foods along 17th Street. That is just a five minute walk from the Korean War Veterans Memorial. It's the street at the western base of the Washington Memorial. Rest rooms are also available in a number of places in the immediate area.
From the Korean War Veteran's Memorial site it's just another five minute walk to the, soon to be dedicated, National World War II Memorial. If you happen know any WWII vets please read about the dedication and other festivities that will go on during the 2004 Memorial Day weekend.
There is an ink stamp of all the memorials for those who would like to have their National Park Passports canceled. This is a wonderful way to "collect parks"
My First Visit to the MEMORIAL
I remember the first time I saw the memorial. I had no idea as to what it was like. Walking from the Lincoln Memorial you approach a troop of American Military personal out on patrol walking through what is an artistically rendered Korean landscape with rice paddy's and plantings of Junipers.
The multi-racial sculpture is comprised of 19 stainless steel likenesses of the serviceman out on patrol. Each piece is over 7'3" high.
As I approached the patrol I was taken as to how realistic the men looked. They wear rain gear and all hold their weapons and gear in a different manor as they make there way through the difficult terrain. The overall colour of each individual is in earthen tones. Each sculpture captures the look of war in their faces and body. These are the work of sculptor Frank Gaylord. Most of the figures are Army with an addition of men from the Navy, Marines, and Air Force.
From the particular angle were I was standing I could see a highly polished black granite wall behind them. The first thing I noticed was the reflection of the troops on patrol. Upon further inspection I noticed other figures too! I couldn't understand what I was seeing. There were more figures in the reflections than statues in front of the wall. There was also a depth to the reflections, a perspective of figures further away. It was very strange in fact the whole feel of it all was quite haunting.
What I found out as I moved closer to the wall was that there are etchings in the wall and these show in different ways as light strikes them. They were laser cut into the wall by artist Louis Nelson. It is an amazing, yet subtle, work of art!
I have been back a number of times. Once I was there when snow was on the ground. That too, added to the overall haunting effect.
Along the north edge of the "rice paddy" field is a granite wall hugging close to the ground. It has the names of the twenty two countries that supported the action against the North Koreans and its then allies China, and Russia.
MORE TO IT
The Memorial has another section to it. That is the Pool of Remembrance. This is in the direction the patrol seems to be walking. The pool is round and centered in the middle of a perimeter of trees. This is a reflective area in which numbers of killed, wounded, MIA and POW are chiseled into stone.
Nearby this is another granite wall with the simple four word message, Freedom Is Not Free. I think we, as a society forget that. We must always support our troops. It is through their sacrifice that we are able to enjoy the freedoms we have at home. We must remember the men of "The Forgotten War", and the men and woman who serve us today.
Other DC reviews by popsrocks
The Washington Monument
Lincoln Memorial
Washington DC
The Korean War Veteran's Memorial
The Vietnam War Veteran's Memorial
The National World War II Memorial This is a new major memorial that will be dedicated May 2004
The National Art Gallery
The National Archives This has just reopened and it's bigger and better!!
The National Air and Space Museum
Fairmont Washington Hotel
The Old Ebbit Grill Good Eats near the White House
Passport to your National Parks
Gettysburg National Military Park
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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