The Korean War is often called the Forgotten War.
That’s something local officials and veterans hope to change with the dedication of part of State Road 365 in Rome as the Oneida County Korean War Memorial Highway.
The inauguration held on Wednesday, July 27 was hosted by veterans and featured speeches from local dignitaries and veteran representatives.
“Let’s all remember and call it the war we remember,” Thomas Buono, president of Vietnam Veterans of America 944, said at the ceremony.
New York State Senator Joseph Griffo, R-Rome, and State Deputy Marianne Buttenschon, D-Marcy, sponsored the legislation that led to the dedication. Governor Kathy Hohul recently signed the legislation.
The two lawmakers pushed for the legislation to be signed in time for Wednesday’s ceremony, which is held in recognition of National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, which is observed on July 27 to recognize the day the Korean War armistice was signed in 1953.
“We honor them,” Griffo said of those who fought in the Korean War. “We appreciate your bravery, your courage.”
The Korean War took place between World War II and the Vietnam War.
The war began in June 1950 and an armistice, which ended hostilities, was concluded on July 27, 1953.
However, no formal peace treaty has been signed and the Korean Peninsula remains in a state of war.
According to statistics provided at the ceremony, more than 36,000 U.S. service members were killed in action, including 33 from Oneida County. More than 8,000 soldiers are still considered missing.
“We thank all Korean War veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice,” said Joseph Fraccola, Commander, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 490.
A sign commemorating the inauguration and noting that the section of State Highway 365 is now the Oneida County Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway was unveiled, followed by a reflection on the Korean War, d a ceremonial gun salute and game of taps and a ceremonial wreath laying. .
