During the Korean War, 180,000 American, South Korean and United Nations forces lost their lives defending the Republic of Korea.
The Board of El Paso County Commissioners at its regular meeting Tuesday, July 17, commemorated the Korean War with a Proclamation recognizing the conflict that began in 1950 and ended with the signing of the armistice on July 27, 1953.
Commissioner Peggy Littleton read the Proclamation into the record, stating, “The sacrifices of these forces showed the resolve of the United States and the United Nations to stand by their South Korean allies despite the cost of human loss and hardship.”
On June 25, 1950 the war began when the People’s Army of Communist North Korea invaded the pro-Western Republic of South Korea. The invasion was one of the first acts of the Cold War. By July, 1950, the United States had sent troops into the war to fight on South Korea’s behalf.
“We appreciate you remembering us every year,” said Bob Roper with the Korean War Veterans Association, who accepted the Proclamation on Tuesday. “There are still a lot of us around. But we are losing a lot. We have a number of funerals every year.”
Commissioner Stan VanderWerf said, “You all not only made sacrifices to defend a worthy cause. You were ambassadors for the United States to the Korean people. You created a friendship with them.”
The anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice will be remembered in a ceremony at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs on Saturday, July 21 at 10:30 a.m.
The ceremony will take place at the Korean War memorial off Union Boulevard. Those attending should be aware that the intersection of Pikes Peak Avenue and Union Boulevard on at the northeast corner of the park is under construction. It is recommended that attendees use Union Boulevard from the south when arriving to avoid the closed intersection.