The Latest Local News from the Rome News
Additional recognition is coming for a group of local veterans who fought in South Korea during the Korean War.
After almost two years of correspondence with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea’s office in Atlanta, Rome’s Sgt. Billy Freeman Korean War Veterans post is receiving the Korean Ambassador of Peace Medals to give to local veterans.
“We’ve got 26 now that have come in from the embassy in Atlanta,” said post commander Charles Patterson. “And we hope to get more in as we get closer to Memorial Day.”
Patterson said it has been a long and arduous process to get local veterans the special medals.
Post offices originally worked to get the information needed from Korean War veterans in Rome, Cave Spring and Cedartown in May 2013.
Patterson said that while many received their medals, some have not. They were told last year that some of the ones submitted missed a deadline and needed to be sent in again to ensure everyone received one.
“They’re coming in now and we’re trying to get in touch with everyone,” Patterson said.
Given by the Republic of South Korea government, the medal honors all U.S. veterans who served in Korea from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953. The medal is also available to veterans who participated in peacekeeping operation with the United Nations until 1955.
Patterson said the initial group of medals will be presented during Berry College’s Lunar New Year celebration March 17 at Ford Dining Hall on the school’s campus.
They will then plan to have the rest of the medals presented during a special ceremony in downtown Rome on Memorial Day, May 25.
Patterson said they had a total of 81 veterans apply for the medal through the post.
Source: Rome News
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