Korean vets honor armistice

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July 30, 2008

By Joni Quinn

Poems were read and a few tears were shed as flags were lowered and a series of volleys fired in honor of those who gave their lives in what is has been referred to as The Forgotten War.

The Greater Haverhill Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 288 held a commemoration ceremony on Sunday at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in GAR Park in remembrance of the signing of the armistice ending the hot war in Korea on July 27, 1953.

After 55 years, the truce technically is all that prevents North Korea and the United States from resuming the war; no peace treaty has ever been signed.

American forces entered the Korean theater of battle in June 1950, after North Korean forces backed by China and the Soviet Union advanced on South Korea. Seeing this as a threat of the expansion of communism in Asia, President Truman committed American troops to aid South Korea.

After 37 months of battle, more than 33,600 Americans had lost their lives, and more than 103,000 were wounded.

The estimate of enemy casualties, including prisoners, is more than 1,500,000.

When the armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, talks had already dragged on for two years. Military commanders from China and North Korea signed the agreement on one side, with the U.S.-led United Nations Command signing on behalf of the international community. South Korea did not sign.

The document said it was aimed at a ceasefire "until a final peace settlement is achieved."

The agreement provided for a suspension of open hostilities; a fixed demarcation line with a four kilometer (2.4 mile) buffer zone — the so-called demilitarization zone; and a mechanism for the transfer of prisoners of war.

Both sides pledged not to "execute any hostile act within, from, or against the demilitarized zone," or enter areas under control of the other. It also called for the establishment of the Military Armistice Commission and other agencies to ensure the truce held.

The armistice is still the only safeguard for peace on the Korean peninsula.

"After all this time with still no end, we can only pray that the war in Afghanistan does not end up with the same result," Adj. Russell Chaput said.

The similarities of the two battlegrounds are not lost on Chaput. Recent books and magazine stories about the Bush administration's war in Afghanistan often refer to it as this generation's Forgotten War.

Sunday's ceremony opened with a salute to the flag, led by Korean War Veterans of America Chapter 288 Commander Richard Bilodeau, while the flag was lowered by retired Marine Richard Broadnax, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

"Our country is changing fast and we need God to protect and help us all. As long as we have our brothers together, we will keep on fighting. God bless us all," said Gerald Boucher, before leading veterans and bystanders in prayer.

The Veterans Association hope to add to the memorial for generations to come.

"We will continue to build up this memorial in remembrance of those we lost," Chaput said.

The membership of the Korean War veterans group is looking for suggestions for contents of a time capsule that will be buried near the memorial.

"Now is an opportune time to do something like this, and we need the support and help of everyone," said Chaput.

For more information or to offer suggestions, contact Chaput at 978-374-6980.