More Details on the April 30th Veterans Tribute: the First Event in Central Massachusetts to Mark the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War

Worcester, Massachusetts, April 13, 2000 -- As previously announced, hundreds of veterans from all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families are expected to gather in Worcester, Massachusetts on April 30th to honor and remember the brave men and women who served in the Korean War. This Veterans Tribute and reception will be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Main South American Legion Post, 1023 Main Street in Worcester. What's new is that more details about the event are included with this release.

The event is being co-hosted by the Main South #341 and Vernon Hill #345 American Legion Posts and the Korean War Memorial Committee of Central Mass. There will be open seating with accommodation for up to 250 people.

The year 2000 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War, and this Veterans Tribute is the first of several major events that will be held in Central Massachusetts to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed so much for our country in the Korean War. Other planned activities include a reenactment of the "call-to-duty" in Korea, with a march to Worcester's train station scheduled for June 25th. In addition on September 17th, two major events will take place. First, there will be a 2:00 p.m. Forum about the Korean War at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. This will be followed by a 6:00 p.m. Public Tribute at Worcester's Mechanics Hall, featuring Pentagon officials, general officers from the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corp and the U.S. Coast Guard. Members of the U.S. Senate and Congress will also participate, along with foreign diplomats. John McDermott, one of the original three Irish tenors, will round out the evening by singing patriotic songs.

According to Korean War Memorial Committee General Chairman, Francis R. Carroll, the ultimate goal of all of these commemorative events is to raise the funds needed to build a lasting Memorial in the new Washington Square to honor those who made the supreme sacrifice. The project is already approved by Worcester's City Council, the Worcester Redevelopment Authority, and the City Manager.

"Freedom is not free," said Carroll. He then quoted the inscription on the Korean War Memorial in Washington: "Our Nation Honors Her Sons and Daughters Who Answered the Call to Defend a Country They Never Knew And a People They Never Met."

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