commemorate Korean War veterans

By JAINE TREADWELL

Features Editor

June 26, 2000 10 PM

Gov. Don Siegelman announced Friday that a ceremony to commemorate the Korean War has been set for June 29 at the Old House Chamber in the State Capitol Building.

Siegelman said he is joined by Lt. Gov. Steve Windom, Speaker Seth Hammett and Speaker Pro Tem Demetrius Newton of the Alabama House of Representatives in inviting Alabama’s veterans an their family members to attend the Joint Ceremonial Session of the Legislature at 11 a.m. June 29.

The State of Alabama will pay special tribute to her Korean War veterans and honor all beterans and their families with this ceremony to makr the 50th anniversay of that war’s beginning.

Siegelman said Alabama has not forgotten those who served in the Korean War.

"Alabama was the first state to publicaly honor and thank our Korean War veterans by kicking off a three-year commemoratin period to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the war. It is my hope that the courageous and patriotic individuals who brought honor and distinction to the nation and themselves for their deeds 50 years ago in Korea will honor us with their presence at the Capitol."

Randy Ross, veterans affairs officer for Pike County, said Congress has designated the period from June 25, 2000 through Nov. 11, 2003 as a time to commemorate the Korean War and thank and honor its veterans and their families.

"I would like to encourage all veterans of the Korean War and their families to attend this special ceremony at our State Capitol," Ross said. "It is one of many events that have been planned and will be planned to honor Korean War veterans during this three-year period. This is an honor they deserve and I believe it will be a very meaningful and rewarding experience for them and their families."

Ross said the state will present each veteran or a surviving member of the veteran’s family who is present, with a special commemorative coin authorized by the Legislature.

"This coin will be a treasured keepsake for the veterans and their families," he said. "There will be a logo memorializing the 50th anniversary of the Korean War on one side and the Alabama State Capitol will be on the other side."

The session will close on the South Lawn of the Capitol where a commemorative flag will be raised by members of the Korean War Veterans Honor Guard to fly over the State Capitol until Veterans Day 2003.