From left: Gene Hutto, Joy Hutto, Kenneth Ramsey, Jan Ramsey, Mary Fausett, Carolyn Umbrell, Larry Hume, Mike Wulf, Ike Reeves, and Richard Roddy with Maq.
August 2, 2023 - On Thursday morning, July 27, 2023 the VFW Post and Auxiliary commemorated the service and sacrifice of those who served in the Korean War at the Veterans Memorial on the 1885 Historic Courthouse grounds.
VFW Post Surgeon Kenneth Ramsey gave the invocation at the start of the Korean War Armistice memorial.
Mike Wulf, VFW Post Sr. Vice, gave the welcome saying, “Good morning and thank y’all for taking time to join us in remembering the 70th Anniversary of the signing of the peace armistice which ended the Korean War that lasted from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953."
Wulf continued, "Seventy years ago today the Korean War ended. Hundreds of thousands of Americans served their country in that war and many gave their lives. Some called the Korean War the forgotten war, but those Americans who served during that time will never be forgotten by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. They served honorably and with distinction. Some called it the Korean Conflict; it was not a conflict, it was a war with 33,686 battle deaths; 2,830 non-battle deaths; 103,000 wounded; and still missing in action from the Korean War are over 7,600 Americans. We can never thank and recognize those who served during this time enough. During the Korean War seven citizens of Shelby County were among those killed in action; one is still missing in action; four others were former prisoners of war.”
A roll call of honor was then done by the Post Auxiliary.
Mary Fausett started with those killed in action: Floyd Harris (September 24, 1950), Clifford Hughes (August 13, 1950); Johnny V. Mena (April 19, 1951); Bobbie F. Mock (November 22, 1950); Billy Clyde Stephenson (November 5, 1952); Leonard Williams (May 18, 1951); and Willie Wilson (May 27, 1951).
Jan Ramsey then read the names of those who were prisoners of war: Herbert L. Langford, North Korean POW; Pearl D. Lucas, North Korean POW; Billy Lee Westcoat, Chinese POW; and Leonard Scott, North Korean POW.
Joy Hutto read the name of Willie E. Windham who is still missing in action since August 12, 1950.
Members of the audience were then given an opportunity to say the names of Korean War veterans to remember. Ike Reeves, Post Member, said the name of his cousin Charles Willard Reeves, Jr.. Jan Ramsey said the name of Arthur “Red” Baker who was wounded in Korea, her uncle on her mother’s side of the family. Carolyn Umbrell said the name of her husband John Umbrell, Sr. who was wounded in Korea.
The memorial wreath was then placed by Post Member Ike Reeves.
To end the program, Taps was then played by Post Member Gene Hutto for those who gave their lives during the Korean War and those who served and now have passed.
The next patriot gathering will be on August 31st to remember those who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom 2010.
