by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The Main Library was the site of a tribute Thursday to veterans of the Korean War that included the premier of a documentary, “Korea: Forgotten War, Remembered Heroes.”
The 28-minute film was produced by Michael Rothfeld, president of Florida Veterans Programs & Projects, Inc. and directed by Nadia Ramatour, media arts director at the Art Institute of Jacksonville.
The documentary tells the story of four Korean War veterans who live in St. Johns County: Bob Bey, Richard Bassett, James Vanairsdale and George Gaspard. Each had his own story to tell in the film but the documentary experience was particularly meaningful for Vanairsdale and Bey.
“Jim and I were both career Marines and went to supply school together in 1954. We hadn’t seen each other since until we were part of this project,” said Bey
June 25, 1950 was the day the North Korean Army invaded South Korea after efforts to unite the country through a unified election failed. America and its allies entered the conflict on behalf of South Korea and almost 1 million U. S. armed forces members served in the conflict. More than 450,000 of the 4 million soldiers, sailors and airmen killed in Korea were Americans.
Mayor John Peyton welcomed about 200 veterans and their guests to the event on the 59th anniversary of the beginning of the war and remarked, “In Jacksonville, the Korean War is not a forgotten war. Every day we recognize the contributions of those who have served and those who have fallen.”
Peyton then read a proclamation that designated Thursday “Korean War Veterans Day” in Jacksonville.
Henry Moreland, president of the local chapter of the Korean War Veterans of America, said that while Americans celebrate the anniversary of July 27, 1953 each year – Armistice Day in Korea – the Korean people celebrate June 25 because, “That was the day we came to liberate them and stop the spread of Communism.”
Photo by Max Marbut
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