Combined Veterans Council Dedicates Memorial to Korean War Veterans …

 It took a very special man, with a great idea, to call together a “Combined Veterans Council” here in Dedham, collect funds made up of private donations, and bring to fruition a “long overdue” plan for a memorial. Bill Aitken, Dedham`s Veterans Service Officer, was just that man.

 This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War. Often called the “Forgotten War” – Congress never officially declared the US Military action in Korea a war – the veterans that served in this conflict are often over-looked.

 Aitken, himself a Marine Corp. veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Storm (1987-1993) has always had a special place in his heart for the Korean War. His Dad had proudly served our country in Korea!

 Bill approached the Combined Veterans Council, made up of: Michael Raymond – 2013 Commander of the Council, Commander of Amvets Post 1636, and Commander of the DAV Chapter 42 / Marty Columbo – Commander of the American Legion Post 18 / Dana McQuaid – Commander of the USS Jacob Jones VFW Post 2017, with his idea for a Korean War Memorial at the Brookdale Cemetery.

 It took months of hard work, with the help of a group too large to list, but on Veterans Day 2013, thanks to the fabulous work of the folks at Norwood Monumental, a beautiful black monument was unveiled to the public.

 Brookdale Cemetery recently designated a large space at their entrance to be called “Veterans Corner.” The Korean Memorial joined those of World War II and Vietnam, and is located not far from Memorials to the Civil War and World War I.

 Hundreds of veterans, their families, and members of the public, turned out to watch the unveiling and listen to a host of guest speakers. After our “National Anthem” was sung by Ms. Lisa Welch, those in attendance heard from Ma. State Senator and US Navy Lt. Mike Rush, retired US Army Colonel Robert Black (selected to represent the Korean War veterans, DHS class `48), Ma. State Representative Paul McMurtry, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen Michael Butler (representing Carmen Dello Iacono, James MacDonald, Sarah MacDonald, and Paul Reynolds), Dedham Town Administrator William Keegan, Veteran Service Officer Bill Aitken himself, along with Commanders Marty Columbo and Dana McQuaid. With the help of Bill Aitken, US Army Veteran of the Korean War, and Purple Heart Recipient, William Podolski placed a wreath at the new monument. US Navy Lt. Chaplain Nathan Hays read a blessing while Ms. Kimberley Shaw of the Dedham American Legion Post Band and Bugles Across America played a heartfelt version of “Taps” for the crowd.

 We spoke to Korean War Veterans, 83 year old Richard Shields and Dedham`s own Vinnie DelVoppo, who were both “touched” by the ceremony.

 Commander Mike Raymond wished to Thank Bob Stanley for providing the sound and equipment, the tireless work of Paul Galvin, Dan Tobin and his team who maintain the grounds of the Brookdale Cemetery, and Joe Flanagan and the Dedham DPW who care for the monuments and flagpoles around town.

 As the Ceremony came to a close, Bill Aitken stood by the monument with the look of a proud soldier and told us “that too many of the Korean War Veterans have passed away on us, and this (stone and ceremony) is just our way of showing our appreciation to those dedicated men and women who have served our country…”

 During the Korean War (1950-1953) there were 36,000 Americans killed (8 young men from Dedham) and over 100,000 were wounded. As we were all reminded, the “Forgotten War” is not forgotten here in Dedham…

Story and Photos by: Joe Kilroy