Township hoping to shine
a light on ‘forgotten’ war
Bringing information
to schools is one idea
50 years after Korea
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Though the Korean War is sometimes referred to as America’s forgotten war, municipal officials want to bring it squarely into the public’s consciousness.
In an effort to honor, thank and remember all Korean War veterans on the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, a program to be called the Korean War Commemorative Community Program will be developed by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in conjunction with the township, the township schools and various departments and agencies of the United States government.
"The purpose of the Korean War Commemorative Community Program is to honor and remember those who have made the supreme sacrifice for our nation and the cause of freedom during the Korean War," said Township Committee-man David Salkin.
"We want to identify, thank and honor the veterans of the Korean War and their families, especially those that lost loved ones, to recognize and remember the Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action. Another aim is to recognize the contributions of women and minorities to their nation during the Korean War."
Salkin said other purposes of the program are to provide the public with a clearer understanding and appreciation of the lessons, history and legacy of the Korean War and the military’s contribution to the nation in maintaining world peace and freedom through preparedness and engagement; and also to remember the United Nations forces engaged in preserving the peace, freedom and prosperity of the Republic of Korea and strengthen the bonds of friendship and relationships throughout the world focusing on the 22 countries that fought as allies.
"Basically this is going to be a partnership between departments and agencies of the U.S. government and local municipalities," Salkin said. "Our focus here in Freehold Township is going to be educating the public."
Salkin said there will be an effort to have as much contact with members of the public who are veterans. Some of the plans will include going into the schools with special programs which teach about the Korean War. There will be programs on TV-71, the municipal access cable channel, and there will be special recognition ceremonies on Veterans Day and Memor-ial Day.
Salkin explained that a friend of his, Army Lt. Col. Mark Franklin, was asked by defense officials to put the community program together. Franklin spent five years in South Korea as the intermediary