(27 Jul 1995) English/Nat
It's been called America's forgotten war.
But for one and a half million veterans who served in the Korean War, the memories of the conflict still live on.
Later on Thursday, their war will be remembered officially when the Korean War Veterans Memorial is unveiled on Washington DC's national mall.
And for the veterans, the ceremony promises to be an emotional occasion.
Soon these etched faces will be unshrouded - a reminder of the Americans who gave their lives in the Korean War.
The Korean War Veterans Memorial will be dedicated on Thursday by President Bill Clinton and South Korean President King Young-sam.
On Wednesday, workers were still putting the finishing touches on the monument that some say rivals the nearby Vietnam Wall in power and emotion.
Colonel William Weber lost an arm and a leg to the Korean War.
He says the memorial elicits vivid memories.
SOUNDBITE:
"It evokes memories of the past of course. Men in my company. The men who went to premature graves. Who were disfigured or mangled as the result of that war. And also the resoluteness and the stoic manner in which they accepted their fate."
SUPER CAPTION: Colonel William Weber - Korean War veteran
Weber was one of the major planners of the monument, which depicts weary soldiers like himself emerging from a forest into an area designed to evoke the rice paddies of Korea.
The weary soldiers arrive at a reflecting pool, located at the far end of the memorial.
A far wall depicts ghostly images of support personnel watching over the soldiers.
For those support people, so vital to soldiers in the field, the Korean War Veterans Memorial also has strong meaning.
SOUNDBITE:
"The army has a song. And I think that many of the support people would really like it. And it's "When We Were Needed We Were There" and I think that's the, what sums it up for me."
SUPER CAPTION: Colonel Rosemary McCarthy - Korean War Veteran
Colonel Weber says that most veterans feel - like he does - that this memorial is long overdue.
SOUNDBITE:
"When I see this memorial, I feel as if we have been emancipated from the obscurity of a forgotten generation. And I think it's high time that that has happened."
SUPER CAPTION: Colonel William Weber - Korean War veteran
As the finishing touches were put to the memorial, South Korean President Kim Young Sam addressed the U-S Congress.
He expressed his thanks for the American support during the war.
SOUNDBITE: (Korean)
"On behalf of the Korean people, I would like to take this opportunity to pay my respects to the memory of those young Americans who sacrificed their lives on Korea's battle front and express deep gratitude to all those brave soldiers who took part in the Korean War."
SUPER CAPTION: Kim Young Sam, South Korean president
He was especially appreciative of the continuing presence of the U-S army forces who he said had played an invaluable role in maintaining the security of his country since the Korean War.
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