Oxford park ceremony remembers Korean War
OXFORD – They called it the war that Americans forgot to remember.
Even though the Korean War lasted three years, involved 1.5 million troops, 37,000 of whom died and 100,000 others who were wounded, it took four decades before the 1950-1953 war earned its own national monument, dedicated in 1995.
On Tuesday, in Oxford Veterans Memorial Park, local Korean veterans were honored by a rousing patriotic performance by the Maine Army National Guard band, under the direction of Chief Warrant Officer M. Stanley Buchanan. The band and its ensembles perform at numerous military and civilian events throughout the northeastern United States and Canada.
Officers from Anderson-Staples American Legion Post 112 called forward all Korean War veterans from the crowd of more than 100 people attending the event, the second in the annual Concerts in the Park summer series. The 30 or so men, and their widows, lined up to receive ribbons and certificates from the officers. Then several post-1953 Korean War servicemen were similarly honored.
Col. Robert Carmichael, chief of staff for the Maine Army National Guard, then spoke.
“In the audience, I see many personal heroes,” he said. “All of whom share the experience of serving America in its hour of need.”
Post World War II America wasn’t prepared for another war when civil war broke out in Korea. But American troops, joined by United Nations forces, did their duty, he said.
It wasn’t an easy war, said Carmichael, but “the cause America stood for in Korea was noble and just – it was the cause of freedom.”
He said, “It has taken 40 years to erect a memorial to its heroes,” but today, “Americans do understand the commitment and the sacrifice you made, and on behalf of them, I thank you.”
The next Concert in the Park will be held July 15, when the Kora Temple Shrine Band will perform. On July 29, it will be The Bel Airs, and on Aug. 12, the Fan Fare Concert Band will perform. All concerts begin at 7 p.m., and are hosted by the Legion’s Post 112.
ggeraghty@sunjournal.com
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