11/18/13 Veteran's Day service marks 60th anniversary of Korean War armistice

  • By Nick Sabo
  • November 13, 2013
  • 398
                        
SUMMARY: Veterans of America's "Forgotten War" honored The 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice was observed in a Veteran’s Day service on the Holmes County courthouse lawn Monday Nov. 11. Major combat operations in Korea were brought to a halt with an armistice signed July 27, 1953. More than 326,000 U.S. servicemen and servicewomen served in the four year conflict, and more than 40,000 Americans lost their lives. The Veteran’s Day service, held annually by the Holmes County Veteran’s Service office, recognizes all U.S. veterans and their service to their country. This year, Veteran’s Service Officer Jason Brooks further read a proclamation honoring Korean War veterans, prior to a speech by Millersburg businessman and Korean War veteran Arlie Rodhe. “This (proclamation) is in honor of all the Korean War veterans and what they’ve done for us,” Brooks said. “They call it the forgotten war, but we will never forget.” Brooks handed out copies of the proclamation to veterans attending the service. Rodhe was a grade school student when WWII broke out. He remembers the joy experienced across the nation at the end of the war and believed that the world was going to be at peace for a long time. “I remember celebrating here on the courthouse lawn,” Rodhe said. “I thought we will have years of peace, and I, as a student, would not have to be drafted. How wrong I was.” Rodhe was drafted in 1953 when he was 20 years old. He served 16 months in Korea transporting arms, ammunition and soldiers to the front. Rodhe said the U.S. military involvement in Korea has “never gained the consciousness” of the nation in the way World War II and Vietnam have. Rodhe said veterans of all wars must be remembered and honored for their service. He said these honors can be expressed through participation in one of the many support organizations for veterans, or by a phone call or text thanking them for their service. “Thank the veterans, both past and present. Send them an e-mail or a text, get on the phone, or see them in person,” Rodhe said. “Give them a thank you.” Taps and the National Anthem were preformed on the trumpet by West Holmes seniors Rick Holloway and Cody Starr. The West Holmes band was originally scheduled to play patriotic selections, but their appearance was cancelled due to a bomb threat at the high school. The ceremony was followed by a free lunch for veterans at the Darb Snyder Senior Center. Copies of the proclamation read by Brooks at the service are available for presentation to Korean War veterans and may be obtained at the Holmes County Veteran’s Services office. KUTLINE: Korean War veteran Arlie Rodhe speaks at a Veteran’s Day Service Nov. 11 on the Holmes County Courthouse lawn. The service, which honored veterans of wars past and those of today, also observed the 60th anniversary of the Korean War cease-fire.


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