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Korean War Vets Memorial 5/1/90 [OA 4425]
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323154694
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Korean War Vets Memorial 5/1/90 [OA 4425]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Mary Kate Grant Subject Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection: George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Grant, Mary Kate, Files
Subseries:
Subject File, 1988-1991
OA/ID Number:
13881
Folder ID Number:
13881-015
Folder Title:
Korean War Vets Memorial, 5/1/90
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
19
2
7
6
Grant/Dooley
May 1, 1990
Draft four-B
A:Korea
BRIEF REMARKS: KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL
FUNDRAISING DINNER
OMNI SHOREHAM HOTEL
MAY 1, 1990
7:45 P.M.
Thank you, Secretary Derwinski. General Stilwell, Members
of the Commission, our distinguished Members of Congress, and my
fellow veterans
...
thank all of you. It's great to be here
tonight. //
In the Spring of 1951, almost 40 years ago, President Truman
addressed the American people in the midst of the Korean War,
saying, "In the simplest terms, what we are doing in Korea is
this: We are trying to prevent a third World War. The allied
men and women who fought in Korea -- and who continue to guard
the boundary of the Republic of Korea -- fulfilled that mission
and helped ensure peace in the world.
Korea, the first major struggle of the nuclear age, evolved
into a war of battlefield stratagem and a war of international
politics. But it was a war in which we turned the tide against
communism for the first time, in a victory sometimes ignored by
history.
A year before President Truman spoke, tensions in the Korean
peninsula had heightened, breaking out into a bitter conflict on
June 25, 1950, when North Korea launched a surprise attack on the
fledgling republic in the South. President Truman quickly made
2
the decision to commit American troops, under the leadership of
General Douglas MacArthur, to stop the Communist aggression.
The world watched as fighting continued throughout 1950, and
then, from late April through this month of May in 1951, the
Communists began their Spring Offensive to drive us from the
peninsula. But it was our two leaders, General Jim Van Fleet,
commanding the Eighth Army and General Matt Ridgway commanding
the U.N. Forces, who repelled the offensive and drove Communist
troops back to the north. Although they could not join us
tonight, General Van Fleet and General Ridgway -- ages 98 and 95,
respectively -- deserve our respect and gratitude. 11
We are here tonight to remember our veterans' remote battles
and their combined talents in what is often called "The Forgotten
Victory." Once this memorial is constructed, no American will
ever forget the test of freedom our brave sons and daughters
faced as they sought to stop aggression. America must remember
that struggle -- from the Pusan perimeter to the landing at
Inchon to the recapture and brave defense of Seoul. And it is
never too late for America to express her gratitude to all those
who served under our flag in Korea -- those who made it home, and
those who didn't. 111
Looking back at the Korean conflict, our defense of freedom
laid the foundation for the march of democracy we're seeing today
around the world. And that march is reflected in the memorial
itself, with 38 soldiers from all services moving down a path
3
toward the U.S. flag -- the strongest symbol of freedom known
throughout the world.
It's those men and women honored by this memorial who joined
with South Korean troops under the U.N. banner to help save a
proud nation from communism. Men like the Members of Congress
here tonight: Senators Warren Rudman, John Chafee, and John
Glenn, Congressmen Andy Jacobs, Charlie Rangel, Stan Parris, and
John Conyers to name only a few who served in the Armed Forces
during the Korean War. Because of these brave soldiers and so
many others, South Korea is now on its way to becoming one of the
world's economic powers, with a freely-elected democratic
government and secure borders.
And so, my fellow veterans, thank you for the opportunity to
join you in saluting these Members of Congress -- these old
soldiers who have not just "faded away," but who have continued
to serve their country in elected office. In closing, let me
share with you a line from Tennyson, in which Ulysses looks back
with his soldiers on the battles they fought as young men and
tells them, "Though much has been taken, much abides."
We honor tonight the heroic hearts and strong will of our
Korean War Veterans, who have given so much that others might
have freedom. God bless you all and the cause you've served.
Thank you.
# # #
Grant/Dooley
April 27, 1990
Draft four-A
A:Korea
BRIEF REMARKS: KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL
FUNDRAISING DINNER
OMNI SHOREHAM HOTEL
MAY 1, 1990
7:45 P.M.
((Acknowledgements)
In the Spring of 1951, almost 40 years ago, President Truman
addressed the American people in the midst of the Korean War,
saying, "In the simplest terms, what we are doing in Korea is
this: We are trying to prevent a third World War." The allied
men and women who fought in Korea -- and who continue to guard
the boundary of the Republic of Korea -- fulfilled that mission
and helped ensure peace in the world.
It was about a year earlier that tensions heightened until
they soon broke -- into a bitter conflict, begun by a North
Korean surprise attack on the fledgling republic in the South.
President Truman quickly made the decision to commit American
troops to stop the Communist aggression, under the leadership of
General Douglas MacArthur.
In 1951, from late April throughout this month of May, the
Communists launched their Spring Offensive to drive us from the
peninsula. It was our two leaders, General Jim Van Fleet,
commanding the Eighth Army and General Matt Ridgway commanding
the U.N. Forces, who repelled the offensive and drove Communist
troops back to the north. Although they could not join us
2
tonight, General Van Fleet and General Ridgway -- ages 98 and 95,
respectively -- deserve our respect and gratitude. 11
Korea, the first major struggle of the nuclear age, soon
evolved into a war of battlefield stratagem and a war of
international politics. But it was a war in which we turned the
tide against communism for the first time, in a victory sometimes
ignored by history.
We are here tonight to remember our veterans' remote battles
and their combined talents in what is often called "The Forgotten
Victory." Once this memorial is constructed, no American will
ever forget the test of freedom our brave sons and daughters
faced as they sought to stop aggression. America must remember
that struggle -- from the Pusan perimeter to the landing at
Inchon to the recapture and brave defense of Seoul. And it is
never too late for America to express her gratitude to all those
who served under our flag in Korea -- those who made it home, and
those who didn't. III
Looking back at the Korean conflict, our defense of freedom
laid the foundation for the march of democracy we're seeing today
around the world. And that march is reflected in the memorial
itself, with 38 soldiers from all services moving down a path
toward the U.S. flag -- the strongest symbol of freedom known
throughout the world.
It's those men and women honored by this memorial who joined
with South Korean troops under the U.N. banner to help save a
proud nation from communism. Men like the Members of Congress
3
here tonight: Senators Warren Rudman, John Chafee, and John
Glenn, Congressmen Andy Jacobs, Charlie Rangel, Stan Parris, and
John Conyers to name only a few who served in the Armed Forces
during the Korean War. Because of these brave soldiers and so
many others, South Korea is now on its way to becoming one of the
world's economic powers, with a freely-elected democratic
government and secure borders.
And so, my fellow veterans, thank you for the opportunity to
join you in saluting these Members of Congress -- these old
soldiers who have not just "faded away," but who have continued
to serve their country in elected office. In closing, let me
share with you a line from Tennyson, in which Ulysses looks back
with his soldiers on the battles they fought as young men and
tells them, "Though much has been taken, much abides."
We honor tonight the heroic hearts and strong will of our
Korean War Veterans, who have given so much that others might
have freedom. God bless you all and the cause you've served.
Thank you.
# # #
KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL FUNDRAISING DINNER
OMNI SHOREHAM HOTEL / MAY 1, 1990 / 7:45 P.M.
THANK YOU, SECRETARY DERWINSKI. GENERAL STILWELL,
MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION, OUR DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS, AND MY FELLOW VETERANS
...
THANK ALL OF YOU.
It's GREAT TO BE HERE TONIGHT. //
IN THE SPRING OF 1951, ALMOST 40 YEARS AGO,
PRESIDENT TRUMAN ADDRESSED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN THE
MIDST OF THE KOREAN WAR, SAYING, "IN THE SIMPLEST
TERMS, WHAT WE ARE DOING IN KOREA IS THIS: WE ARE
TRYING TO PREVENT A THIRD WORLD WAR."
- 2 -
THE ALLIED MEN AND WOMEN WHO FOUGHT IN KOREA -- AND WHO
CONTINUE TO GUARD THE BOUNDARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA
-- FULFILLED THAT MISSION AND HELPED ENSURE PEACE IN
THE WORLD.
KOREA, THE FIRST MAJOR STRUGGLE OF THE NUCLEAR AGE,
EVOLVED INTO A WAR OF BATTLEFIELD STRATAGEM AND A WAR
OF INTERNATIONAL POLITICS. BUT IT WAS A WAR IN WHICH
WE TURNED THE TIDE AGAINST COMMUNISM FOR THE FIRST
TIME, IN A VICTORY SOMETIMES IGNORED BY HISTORY.
- 3 -
A YEAR BEFORE PRESIDENT TRUMAN SPOKE, TENSIONS IN
THE KOREAN PENINSULA HAD HEIGHTENED, BREAKING OUT INTO
A BITTER CONFLICT ON JUNE 25, 1950, WHEN NORTH KOREA
LAUNCHED A SURPRISE ATTACK ON THE FLEDGLING REPUBLIC IN
THE SOUTH. PRESIDENT TRUMAN QUICKLY MADE THE DECISION
TO COMMIT AMERICAN TROOPS, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF
GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR, TO STOP THE COMMUNIST
AGGRESSION.
I
- 4 -
THE WORLD WATCHED AS FIGHTING CONTINUED THROUGHOUT
1950, AND THEN, FROM LATE APRIL THROUGH THIS MONTH OF
MAY IN 1951, THE COMMUNISTS BEGAN THEIR SPRING
OFFENSIVE TO DRIVE US FROM THE PENINSULA. BUT IT WAS
OUR TWO LEADERS, GENERAL JIM VAN FLEET, COMMANDING THE
EIGHTH ARMY AND GENERAL MATT RIDGWAY COMMANDING THE
U.N. FORCES, WHO REPELLED THE OFFENSIVE AND DROVE
COMMUNIST TROOPS BACK TO THE NORTH.
- 5 -
ALTHOUGH THEY COULD NOT JOIN US TONIGHT, GENERAL VAN
FLEET AND GENERAL RIDGWAY -- AGES 98 AND 95,
RESPECTIVELY -- DESERVE OUR RESPECT AND GRATITUDE. 11
WE ARE HERE TONIGHT TO REMEMBER OUR VETERANS'
REMOTE BATTLES AND THEIR COMBINED TALENTS IN WHAT IS
OFTEN CALLED "THE FORGOTTEN VICTORY." ONCE THIS
MEMORIAL IS CONSTRUCTED, NO AMERICAN WILL EVER FORGET
THE TEST OF FREEDOM OUR BRAVE SONS AND DAUGHTERS FACED
AS THEY SOUGHT TO STOP AGGRESSION.
- 6 -
AMERICA MUST REMEMBER THAT STRUGGLE -- FROM THE PUSAN
PERIMETER TO THE LANDING AT INCHON TO THE RECAPTURE AND
BRAVE DEFENSE OF SEOUL. AND IT IS NEVER TOO LATE FOR
AMERICA TO EXPRESS HER GRATITUDE TO ALL THOSE WHO
SERVED UNDER OUR FLAG IN KOREA -- THOSE WHO MADE IT
HOME, AND THOSE WHO DIDN'T. III
LOOKING BACK AT THE KOREAN CONFLICT, OUR DEFENSE OF
FREEDOM LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR THE MARCH OF DEMOCRACY
WE'RE SEEING TODAY AROUND THE WORLD.
- 7 -
AND THAT MARCH IS REFLECTED IN THE MEMORIAL ITSELF,
WITH 38 SOLDIERS FROM ALL SERVICES MOVING DOWN A PATH
TOWARD THE U.S. FLAG -- THE STRONGEST SYMBOL OF FREEDOM
KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.
IT'S THOSE MEN AND WOMEN HONORED BY THIS MEMORIAL
WHO JOINED WITH SOUTH KOREAN TROOPS UNDER THE U.N.
BANNER TO HELP SAVE A PROUD NATION FROM COMMUNISM.
- 8 -
MEN LIKE THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS YOU ARE SALUTING HERE
TONIGHT WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES DURING THE
KOREAN WAR. BECAUSE OF THESE BRAVE SOLDIERS AND so
MANY OTHERS, SOUTH KOREA IS NOW ON ITS WAY To BECOMING
ONE OF THE WORLD'S ECONOMIC POWERS, WITH A FREELY-
ELECTED DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT AND SECURE BORDERS.
- 9 -
AND so, MY FELLOW VETERANS, THANK YOU FOR THE
OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN YOU IN SALUTING THESE MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS -- THESE OLD SOLDIERS WHO HAVE NOT JUST "FADED
AWAY," BUT WHO HAVE CONTINUED TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY IN
ELECTED OFFICE. IN CLOSING, LET ME SHARE WITH YOU A
LINE FROM TENNYSON, IN WHICH ULYSSES LOOKS BACK WITH
HIS SOLDIERS ON THE BATTLES THEY FOUGHT AS YOUNG MEN
AND TELLS THEM, "THOUGH MUCH HAS BEEN TAKEN, MUCH
ABIDES."
T
- 10 - -
WE HONOR TONIGHT THE HEROIC HEARTS AND STRONG WILL
OF OUR KOREAN WAR VETERANS, WHO HAVE GIVEN so MUCH THAT
OTHERS MIGHT HAVE FREEDOM. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND THE
CAUSE YOU'VE SERVED. THANK YOU.
###
THE WASHING
Tribute to Korean War Veterans
memorial to Korean War veterans in
The memorial will be located on
TRIBUTE, From DI
1986; it was a letter published in
the Mall in a grove of trees near the
"Once this memorial-this fantas
"Dear Abby" two years later that
Lincoln Memorial, directly across
tic memorial-is constructed, no
brought it to the attention of the
the Reflecting Pool from the Viet-
American will ever forget the test of
general public. Kathleen Wyosnick, a
nam Veterans Memorial. The cen-
freedom our brave sons and daugh-
bride of eight months when her hus
terpiece of the design features 38 in-
ters faced as they sought to stop ag-
dividual statues of servicemen
band was killed in Korea in Decem-
gression, President Bush told the
marching toward an American flag
ber 1951, wrote to the columnist,
The number refers both to the 38th
audience of more than 500, which in-
who published the letter on Veter-
parallel dividing North and South
cluded Bob Hope and Rosemary
ans Day in 1988.
Korea and the 38 months of the war.
Clooney, who both entertained at
"It struck me that she was
"It's a magnificent memorial," said
the dinner, Veterans Affairs Secre-
right-nobody ever heard of this
Sen. Warren Rudman (R-N.H.), who
tary Ed "Corporal" Derwinski, South
war," said Abigail Van Buren, who
served as commander for an infantry
Kprean Ambassador Tong Jin Park
was honored for her contribution
rifle company. "It reminds me of the
and representatives from all branch-
last night: "I sort of made it a cause
things I saw there, what it looks like
es of the military
because I felt these people had been
to see troops going into battle
"The Korean War was a major
really overlooked.'
Although the memorial specifical-
milestone for the United States,'
The letter sparked a grass-roots
ly honors the veterans of the Korean
said Gen. Richard Stilwell, chairman
response from readers: and raised
War, Stilwell said it represents "the
of the memorial advisory board. It
close to a million dollars for the me-
totality of Americans in uniform ral-
was the cornerstone for defense and
morial. The gala boosted the total
lying to the colors.
foreign policy that provided the bul-
raised to date to nearly $6 million,
"They deserv it, I'll tell you
wark for what is happening in East
more than half of the $11 million
that," said Hope, who made SIX trips
em Europe today.
needed to complete the monument
to Korea during the conflict. It was
"And it was the last victory in
The balance must be raised by next
a tough war, a really tough war but
stark geopolitical terms-we won
year to meet the congressional dead-
they idid a tough job and finally
and they lost
line; ground breaking is planned for
cleaned it up. They should all be dec-
Although Congress authorized a
1992
orated in my eyes:") income
now 03
of
Thanks and Memories
359X soleit misipula
Bob Hope, President Bush Salute Korea Vets
By Roxanne Roberts
the National Guard. It just wasn't a
Special to The Washington Post
popular or a glamorous war like
World War II, so we just went right
How do you say thank you to the
back into the civilian population. We
Korean War veterans? You promise
weren't seeking a lot of recognition."
not to forget only
But the $1,000-a-plate, black-tie
Last night was a sweet tribute-a
gala at the Omni Shoreham hotel
nostalgic night full of gratitude for
was a star-spangled salute to the sol-
men who never asked for it-to the
diers, honoring the 46 U.S. mem-
soldiers in the "Forgotten War" and
bers of Congress who served in the
a pledge to complete, 40 years later,
Armed Forces during 1950-1953
a memorial in their honor.
and raising $300,000 for the Nation-
"We were all tired of war," said
al Memorial to Veterans of the Ko-
Rep. Sonny Montgomery (D-Miss.),
rean War.
BY HARRY NAL WASHINGTON POST
Bob and Dolores Hope at the gala last night.
who served in the "Dixie Division" of
See TRIBUTE, D11, Col.
Photocopy-Preservation