FAYETTEVILLE -- Reed Hamman served in the United States Army Special Forces during the Korean War. He likes to joke that even though his missions were classified, he's too old to get in trouble.
"They couldn't do much to me now," he said, laughing.
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The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies is gathering Arkansas-related Korean War materials for preservation. To learn more about the project, visit https://www.butlerc….
Source: Staff report
The Forgotten War
“Although wars are behind us, they have changed our souls and are never quite relegated to history … today we ask a special blessing on our comrades in arms who served in Korea. May they send the strong embrace from a community who admires their grace over many years of silence.”
Source: Northwest Arkansas Veterans Day Parade benediction
Hamman was among a handful of Korean War veterans honored Sunday afternoon by the Northwest Arkansas Veterans Day Association, which organized a parade through the downtown square.
Held since 1999, the parade recognizes all veterans, but this year focused on those who served in the Korean War. The conflict often is overshadowed in history, said Steve Gray, president of the association.
"Vietnam War veterans had a terrible welcome home, but Korean War veterans had no welcome at all," Gray said. "They are truly the forgotten warriors."
The Korean War broke out in June 1950, when the North Korean army invaded South Korea, according to Naval History and Heritage Command, a branch of the U.S. Navy responsible for preserving the organization's history.
The conflict ended in July 1953 after nearly two years of negotiations. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs estimates more than 6 million served on active duty during the war, with 1.8 million serving "in theater during the three-year period of hostilities." The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies estimates 6,800 Arkansans served in the Korean War.
Today, the Korean peninsula remains divided into two countries, separated by the Demilitarized Zone.
"Thirty-three thousand lost their lives in three years," said Gray, noting that more than 500 of those killed were Arkansans.
Gray also decried some Americans' apathy toward Korean War veterans.
"It wasn't a war where we were attacked. We went there because they asked for our salvation and we spared them from communism," he said. "Sometimes I'm almost embarrassed because I feel like there are many, many South Koreans that appreciate what we did for them and what our military stands for. Sometimes I think there are more of them than there are of ours at times."
David Haver, a Vietnam War veteran who served from 1966 to 1970 in the U.S. Navy, praised the parade for its efforts in honoring veterans from several conflicts.
"It's great, anything that honors the veterans -- not just the ones that are alive -- but the ones that died for our freedoms," Haver said. "Kids don't realize how many men and women gave up their lives or the blood that was spilled for the freedom we have in the United States."
When a float came around the square and an organizer asked veterans to hop on, Haver urged Hamman to join him.
"Let's go get on that float," said Haver, adding later that Hamman reminded him of his uncle, who also served in the Korean War. The pair joined about a half dozen other veterans, who were lauded by the hundreds of people gathered around the square.
Before departing, Hamman said Sunday was a "wonderful day."
"I appreciate all the attention," he said. "I don't think veterans have ever gotten this kind of recognition before."
Metro on 11/14/2016