From the Harford County Public Library:
In honor of the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, often called the “Forgotten War,” six local veterans of the conflict visited the Bel Air Library to talk about how going to war changed their young lives.
Wedged between the glory of WWII and the nationally contentious Vietnam War, this conflict was anything but forgettable to the thousands who fought and were affected by it. The discussion, moderated by WAMD’s Cindy Mumby, focused not only on the terror of war, but the light-hearted and human aspects as well. Two veterans, Bill Alli and Vincent Krepps, wrote about their experiences while veterans Sam Fielder, Bob Banker, and Jack Cloman continue to participate in numerous gatherings and commemorations to keep the history alive for their fellow Americans. Over forty guests listened to the veterans, including several Korean-Americans hoping to learn more about their heritage and one former North Korean soldier who defected during the war and was able to eventually immigrate to the US.
Attendees were also treated to the opening of a new exhibition, GIs and the Kids. This photo exhibition tells the story of how American soldiers helped save the lives of thousands of orphaned Korean children during the Korean War. Created by The Korean War Children’s Memorial Project, this moving experience will be on display at the Bel Air Library through July 27, 2013. A second photo display will be placed in the Abingdon Library and will open July 12, 2013 and run into August.
These events were made possible by a $1,000 donation from the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA), Maryland #33 in Baltimore. Other programs made possible by the KWVA included Historian Mike Dixon’s nostalgic “Duck and Cover” program that occurred at the Edgewood and Fallston libraries in June; and two book discussions of Toni Morrison’s book, Home, happening at the Bel Air Library on July 18 at 6:30 pm and the Aberdeen Senior Center on July 26 at 10:30 am.
For more information, please visit HCPLonline.org or pick up a Headlines & Happenings Newsletter at any of the Library’s 11 branches.
When did this take place? I am constantly amazed at how often the first rules of journalism – who, what, when, why & where – are forgotten.