Today is Veteran’s Day. Banks and government offices are closed, but most schools are still in session and most others are open for business. But whether you are at work today or not, we hope that you take a moment to remember those in our armed forces who have fought for the freedom that we so often take for granted.
We want to thank Kathryn Heller, of the Central Arkansas Library System, for suggesting today’s feature. We were toying with several different things to write about, but once Kathryn got in touch with us, today’s feature was set.
Kathryn reminded us of a wonderful project by the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies. Forgotten: The Arkansas Korean War Project was started in 2008 as a way to preserve and honor the stories and memories of the Arkansans who fought in the Korean War.
There were about 6,300 Arkansans who fought in the Korean War. Six Arkansans received the Congressional Medal of Honor for their service. And of those who survived the war, several have provided audio and video interviews to the Butler Center, as well as photographs and other memorabilia. The Butler Center has also acquired more than thirty individual collections that include photographs, letters, and more.
The Korean War lasted from 1950 to 1953, and is often overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War. But it is a real part of our history, and one we should not forget. The Butler Center is only one of a few institutions committed to telling the Korean War story, and how our state was involved. 2010 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War, and several things are planned to remember, so watch for those events.
If you are a Korean War veteran, or you know one, we encourage you to get in touch with the Butler Center to tell your story. The preservation of oral history is an amazing thing.
And even if you weren’t yet born when the Korean War was going on, we hope you’ll take time to peruse the online collection and to learn a little more about this forgotten war.
So on this Veterans Day, we encourage you to remember the veterans of the Korean War. Remember all those, too, who have fought for our freedom in other wars and conflicts. And remember those who are still away from home, continuing the fight.
Forgotten: The Arkansas Korean War Project.
An Initiative of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies.
Click here to learn more about the project, see the videos, and more.
