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New Korean Momument at St. Ferdinand Park
More than 100 persons showed up Sunday at St. Ferdinand Park for the dedication of the Korean War and Defense monument
with the color guard raising the flag at the beginning of the dedication service on a hot afternoon.
Florissant Honors Veterans of the
‘Forgotten War’ with new Monument
text and photos by Bob Lindsey
The City of Florissant has always honored its local veterans of America’s wars. On Sunday, June 26 they honored those who served in the forgotten war, Korea, with the dedication of the new Korean War and Defense monument
The hot and humid afternoon didn’t curtail the 150 plus residents and friends from attending the warm tribute that featured several speakers , a color guard from the 12th District VFW, the Scottish Rite Brass Band, and several guest speakers.
The Korean War Veterans Association and the City of Florissant hosted the event for veterans and the general public to attend the official dedication of the Korean War and Defense Veterans Memorial in St. Ferdinand Park.
Master of ceremonies Sergeant Major Carl Hargus gave the opening remarks followed by the presentation of colors by the 12th District of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Rev. Edward G. Robinson Sr. gave the invocation.
The national anthem was performed by the Scottish Rite Brass Band, who later concluded the event with a rousing tribute to all branches of the military.
Milt Harrick, of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA), presided over the POW/MIA ceremony. Ken Hoffman, commander of Chapter 4 of the KWVA, thanked and introduced a number of speakers at the event, including Mayor Thomas P. Schneider; guest speaker Terry Bryant, commander of the Missouri State KWVA; and Judy Draper, Circuit Court judge for St. Louis County and the Korean American Association of St. Louis. Judge Draper told of her personal experience in Korea as a child and how her mother and U.S. military helped them survive and escape the North Koreans. “I probably wouldn’t be here today, if it wasn’t for the U.S. military,” she told the audience.
The event ended with Taps and a musical salute to the five branches of the military, played by the Scottish Rite Brass Band.
