Former Secretary of State Colin Powell brought a reminder of a forgotten war to Cedar Rapids on Tuesday. From Veteran’s Memorial Park General Powell dedicated a new memorial to Iowans killed in the Korean War.
General Powell also told the crowd he clearly remembers the day of the invasion, June 25, 1950. And he remembered how the U.S. and other nations rushed military assistance to South Korea. He also noted that the Korean War never truly ended with a peace treaty. And there are reminders of hostility to this day.
The granite memorial unveiled on Tuesday contains the names of 507 Iowans who either died in the conflict or were later declared missing in action. My father - a proud Korean War Veteran, was in attendance for this dedication ceremony. Here are some of his words regarding this event.
Well the event happened. The whole thing was done with nothing but CLASS. I brag all the time, I'm a hick from Iowa, and damned proud of it. This event was typical IOWA. No pretense, just very simple and sincere. It started with a beautiful teen aged young lady singing the National Anthem. She sang only a few bars and forgot the words, she started again only to tear up and could sing no more. The voices from the crowd took over, and she instantly picked up the words, finished, and left the stage smiling as the crowd stood up and gave her a standing "O". Why could this happen? Because we are such hicks that we know the words to our National Anthem. Colin Powell was so complimentary to the task that we accomplished. He mentioned something that I never realized. This was the first attempt of the communists to take the world and we beat them. Not only beat them but the results speak for themselves, look at the difference between the north and the south. General Powell said the same as the friends that write to your blog have mentioned. The differences are astounding.
Then the CEO from PMX Industries Inc. (A South Korean Company), spoke. He truly spoke from the heart. He went thru some of the battles that were fought, and constantly mentioned the heroism of the troops. He too clutched up not because he forgot the words but because he had spoke with such intensity. He had a message to deliver and he delivered it with the intensity and simplicity that we in the Midwest understand. The kind of simplicity our whole Country deserves and needs to restore in the next election. I could go on and on but you get the drift. As you know, I am a very proud American. Disappointed in the direction our Country has been going the last few years. But with people like I saw today, and people you are getting on your blog, I do see a good possibility our country can be saved.
