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Decatur
renames bridge to honor Korean War Vets
Wedged in history
between World War II and the Vietnam War, the Korean War has often been
dubbed the forgotten war. But, a half-century after the conflict's end,
a group of Illinois lawmakers has worked to ensure the war will be
forgotten no more.
State Rep. Bill
Mitchell, R-Forsyth, Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, and state Sen. Frank
Watson, R-Greenville, joined Korean War veterans at Fisherman's Wharf
Park on Veterans Day to celebrate renaming the northbound and southbound
U.S. 51 bridges over Lake Decatur near the dam in honor of the veterans.
Plaques will mark the bridge's new name: The Korean War Veterans
Memorial Bridge.
Mitchell and Watson
introduced a resolution to rename the bridge in the Illinois House and
Senate, respectively, after Korean War veterans brought the idea to
Mitchell. Flider co-sponsored the bill.
"This is a true
case of bipartisan partnership," Mitchell said. "That's the
way government works best." Flider said the bridge will honor the
U.S. troops who returned home and also the more than 33,000 soldiers who
died in the conflict.
Veterans agree
renaming the bridge helps ensure their generation's sacrifices won't be
forgotten.
"This is the
greatest thing that could ever happen for Korean War veterans,"
said Virgil Stolz of Decatur, who has talked with students at area
schools about the war.
Duane Boriff lives in
South Shores, and he'll be proud to drive over the renamed bridge
honoring his generation's service. Boriff said appreciation for Korean
War veterans seems to have grown in recent years. "This is the
icing on the cake."
The veterans'
tradition of answering the call of liberty around the world continues
today, according to Watson. "When freedom is on the line, we
respond," he said. "And that isn't always the popular thing to
do."
Mayor Paul Osborne
said honoring the Korean War veterans is also heartening to those with
loved ones serving on the front lines of the war on terrorism. And he
should know. His son, Craig Osborne, an Army major, is serving with the
82nd Airborne in Iraq.
"He's carrying on
a tradition that these gentlemen and ladies carried on for this
country." |
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