Dozens gathered at the Lubbock Area Veterans War Memorial on Tuesday morning to honor all the veterans who served in the Korean War.
Attendees said this was an especially important celebration this year. Earlier this week, 55 Korean War soldiers were returned to the United States after an agreement was made between President Donald Trump and North Korea.
To remember the soldiers, 55 rounds of gunfire, seconds of silence, and pairs of shoes were seen at the ceremony.
Lieutenant Colonel Davis, of Lubbock, served in the Korean War, and his remains were never found. Charles Davis, his son, honored his father Tuesday in the celebration. He described his father as a great man.
“We are all so proud of him,” said Davis. “He did his job, he went over there and did what needed to be done, and for that we are all very grateful.”
Korean War veterans were honored in the ceremony, with the crowd giving thanks for their service.
Veteran Jim Goss said the war changed his life forever, and it upsets him when people forget about what Korean War veterans went through.
“If you stop and think about it, all of the memorials are for Vietnam or World War II,” said Goss. “What we went through in Korea was terrible, and we don’t get that much recognition.”
However, Steve Oien, a Marine Corporal and event coordinator, says that is all changing. This celebration was aimed at the Korean War veterans, and he hopes the tradition continues.
“Veterans will always remember,” said Oien. “No matter what war you served, we will remember, and no one will ever be forgotten so long as we keep doing this.”
