[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28325]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO THE ALABAMA SOLDIERS WHO SERVED IN THE KOREAN WAR

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. ROBERT E. (BUD) CRAMER, JR.

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 2003

  Mr. CRAMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the soldiers from 
Alabama who answered President Truman's call to protect democracy and 
stop the spread of communist aggression across the globe.
  Mr. Speaker, the Korean War was supposed to be a short and a decisive 
victory for our soldiers. However, from 1950 to 1953, our country was 
embattled in a bitter fight along the 38th Parallel. All told, over 750 
soldiers from Alabama perished during this conflict. However, when the 
fighting ceased and the guns were finally silenced, South Korea 
remained a free and democratic state.
  For many people, the Korean War is known as the forgotten war. This 
is an unfortunate misrepresentation. Mr. Speaker, the Korean War set 
the precedent that the United States will not sit idle as aggressors 
invade and try to destroy another nation's freedom. The Korean War is a 
war that cannot, and will not be forgotten.
  Tomorrow in Athens, Alabama, Edward McMunn and the other members of 
the Alabama Korean War Commemorative Committee will unveil and dedicate 
a monument to honor the Alabama soldiers who died during the Korean 
War. The monument includes a central marble stone memorial with an 
engraved map of Korea that is surrounded by four carved granite stones 
on pedestals bearing the names of each soldier.
  Mr. Speaker, tomorrow's ceremony is a fitting tribute to those that 
died in the defense of freedom and democracy. On behalf of all the 
residents of North Alabama, I commend Edward McMunn, and all the 
members of the Alabama Korean War Commemorative Committee, for their 
hard work and dedication that made this monument become a reality.

                          ____________________