By Dan Verbeck
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-988161.mp3
Kansas City, MO. – There are nearly two dozen war memorials in Kansas City, Missouri. Until yesterday there was nothing to honor members of the armed forces who served in the Korean War. Several hundred people went to Washington Square Park to dedicate the community project.
Veterans of what was known at the time in the 1950's as "the Korean conflict" or the 'police action' sat in a few rows watching and listening to a repeated message, that those who served and lived, those who died and those 8 thousand still listed as missing in action will be remembered for their service.
Former Chair of the House Armed Services Committee Ike Skelton remembered 3 high school classmates from Lexington, Missouri who died in Korea.
United States Marine Corps Colonel Gary Johnston noted that nearly 37 thousand U. S. troops died in the war-- "over 900 were from the great state of Missouri. And over one hundred were from the Kansas City area. Over one million Korean civilians lost their lives." The memorial is just east from Union Station. Kansas City donated the park land, private fund raising paid for the tilting concrete panels.
Interior of the walls are a window for surrounding plaques that list Missourians who died in what was a controversial war when it was being fought and for years afterward.
There are Korean War Veterans' Memorials in other cities near Kansas City. Overland Park has one near 119th and Lowell.