Forgotten No More, the Korean War memorial in DC

[solo1]

Yesterday I received my packet for the April 2016 Honor Flight.  Among the other items in the packet was the book “Forgotten No More, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Story.”  The contents describe a brief history of the Korean War and the design and construction of the Memorial.  I couldn't put the book down.

The memorial has 19 trooper figures, each seven feet tall, spaced at combat patrol intervals walking up a slight hill denoting the hills of Korea but a gentle slope to accommodate the visitors who are handicapped. Originally 38 figures were planned (to symbolize the 38th parallel and the 38 months duration of the war)  but they would've been spaced too close for true combat.  The figures walk toward an apex that ends in a reflective pool and a stone which has “Freedom Is Not Free” inscribed on one side and the number of 54,246 Americans KIA  inscribed on the other side with the flagpole and the American flag rising from the base.

The last figure has his hand out, palm to the rear,  to indicate slow and watchful to the visitors. Truly thoughtful of the sculptor,  Amazing!

The 19 figures are reflected in a granite wall (38 figures, 38th parallel) 164 feet long with 24,000 etched shadowy faces which reflect support personnel, ranging from Navy, tank drivers, corpsman, artillery, medical personnel, and many others too numerous to mention.   I especially was impressed by images of medical personnel being noted, as I always felt that I served in a minor capacity in a medical outfit.

I was really impressed with this book and  amazed how the memorial came to be. Contributions ranged from veterans, citizens, AND corporations with their home base in South Korea.

The Secretary of Defense, Frank Carlucci, in 1988, said it all.  His words are inscribed

OUR NATION HONORS HER UNIFORMED SONS AND DAUGHTERS WHO ANSWERED THEIR COUNTRY'S CALL TO DEFEND A COUNTRY THEY DID NOT KNOW AND A PEOPLE THEy HAD NEVER MET

Forgotten No More.

I am honored to have served in my small way.

I'm looking forward to seeing the memorial for the first time next year.

Wayne, solo1

[cookiedough]

Agree, the life like statues are realistic, but when we went in early July,  the small pool needs a good scrubbing so did the big monument reflecting pool.  Just make sure you have enough time to see the FDR memorial (older but very touching), WWII, Jefferson, Lincoln, Vietnam, MLK, and go up the Washington Monument.  All are very close to one another easily doing all in 3-4 hours. 

I know you are probably on a tight schedule since planned event, but if any time leftover,  the free Holocaust Museum right down the road very close as well puts our easy lives in perspective vs. what 100's of thousands went thru with crazy Hitler.  After spending 2-3 hours in there,  some came out crying very sad.