Fifty members of the Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 137 laid 120 roses to honor the 120 men from Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties who died during the war in the early 1950s. The group estimates that more than 10,000 Mahoning Valley residents served.
The ceremony at the Wickliffe Circle site also included the posting of colors, bell ringers, laying of roses and a 21-rifle salute. It closed with the playing of taps.
John Pariza, commander of K.W.V. Chapter 137, said the group has been holding a ceremony for the past 15 years to help commemorate those who might not be remembered.
"That’s why we built this monument," said Pariza said, who lost two childhood friends in the war.
Lt. Col. Roderick Holser, retired professor of military science at Youngstown State University, came out to honor those who died because he felt it was the right thing to do.
Like Pariza, Holser feels that it is important to remember these men.
"These guys are getting up in age. It is important to keep their legacy alive," Holser said.
Benjamin Martin, who played bagpipes during the ceremony, said he fought in Korea and served in both the Navy and the Army. Martin began his military service in the Naval Reserves, but switched to the Army and was sent to Korea. He said he enjoyed participating in the ceremony.
"I like to do this because I almost got killed in Germany when they built that crazy (Berlin) wall up there," he said.
Disappointed at the turnout Sunday, Pariza said barely anyone comes out to recognize these men who died serving their country. He said America has forgotten the Korean War because it was classified as a police action.
"It wasn’t a police action. It was a war. Fifty-four thousand policemen didn’t die over there, 54,000 soldiers died," Pariza said.
He said he hopes more people will come out in the future to recognize those who served in Korea. They defended America’s freedom, he said, and should be honored as such.
The memorial was dedicated on July 27, 2003, the 50th anniversary of the cease-fire that ended the fighting. The K.W.V. raised more than $60,000 to build the monument. Austintown was selected for its central location in the three-county area.
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