Powell celebrates 'forgotten victory' of Korean War

CEDAR RAPIDS – Rather than the “forgotten war,” America's involvement in the Korean Conflict should be remembered as the “forgotten victory,” Colin Powell said in Cedar Rapids June 1.

Many people say this was this was the forgotten war,” the former secretary of state, national security adviser and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told more than 700 people at Veterans Memorial Park. He was the keynote speaker at the unveiling and dedication of a memorial to the 507 Iowans who died in that war.

He called the black marble monument a “silent reminder (that) bears witness to those who fought for the peace we enjoy.”

Army veteran Bill Ambrisco of Iowa City, who spent 13 months in Korea – much of it above the 38 Parallel that not divides North and South Korea, couldn't agree more.

“They've been calling this the ‘forgotten war' for 60 years,” Ambrisco said after the dedication ceremony. “But to me it always was a victory. We stopped the Communists in their tracks there at that time.”

 The monument, about six and a half feet high and displaying the names of all those in the military who were born in Iowa and died in the Korean War, was a gift from PMX Industries Inc., a Cedar Rapids subsidiary of a Korean company. PMX also paid for Powell's visit.

The generosity, compassion and bravery of those that served 60 years ago “even today define the United States,” said PMX President Si Geun Kim.

The monument stands with other war memorials at Veterans Memorial Park outside Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids.

Powell said he prays for the day when no new memorials will be needed.

“Until that day we are grateful that there are those who are prepared to go in harm's way for our nation and we must ensure that they are never forgotten,” Powell said.

As the nation prepares to mark the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War on June 25, Powell said it's time to remember that “the success South Korea has enjoyed was purchased by sacrifice and war.” In Korea, 30,000 American died and 103,000 were wounded.

No generation of American soldiers is greater than another, he said, and none is greater than the current generation of American fighting men and women serving in Afghanistan an Iraq.

“On this day after Memorial Day, let us pay honor to all Americans who served over the generations,” Powell said. “Because of such service and love of country, we are, and always will be, the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

As a result of the sacrifice of American soldiers, Powell said, South Korea has prospered and become a welcome ally of the United States.

Powell called for adopting the South Korea free trade agreement that could lead to more than $10 billion a year in U.S. exports. In addition, South Korean investment in this country has created tens of thousands of jobs in this country, including 395 at PMX in Cedar Rapids.

“South Korea continues to increase in wealth and influence and become a major presence in the world while each day North Korea falls farther and farther behind,” Powell said.

North Korea, he added, has remained a place of “abject poverty … governed by a cult.”

“What a tragedy. What a human tragedy,” he said.