The Kern County Veterans Service Department announced that the local Korean War Veterans Association, and the Korean American Association of Bakersfield, will conduct a ceremony, open to the public, at the Korean War Veterans Memorial at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday July 27, 2016.
The Memorial can be found in the southeast corner of Jastro Park which is located on Truxtun Avenue at Myrtle Street, just east of Oak Street.
The observance will commemorate the 63rd Anniversary of the Korean War Cease Fire. The ceremony will include a presentation of colors, pledge of allegiance, singing of the National Anthems of the United States and South Korea, guest speakers including Leon Thomas, a Korean War veteran and with the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Steve Merlo, a Vietnam veteran and local outdoor editor and columnist, reading the names of those service members from Kern County who were killed in action during the Korean War, placing of wreaths, rifle salute and playing of taps.
Mr. Michael Sabol, president of the local Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association, and a Marine Corps veteran stated, "I have read in a book about the war that the Korean War was not a forgotten war. It is a forgotten victory.
"We look forward to this yearly opportunity to honor and pay tribute to Kern County servicemembers killed in action during the Korean War, and to honor their families as well," Sabol said.
"We don't ever want to forget those servicemembers from Kern County who gave their lives in this war. That is why this is so important," past president of the Korean War Veterans Association, Mr. Jeryl Matthews, an Army veteran commented
The Korean War Veterans Associations' mission is to honor those who were killed in action during that war as well as to honor all servicemembers who served during that time. They accomplish this goal through community outreach and education in Kern County.
