LeRoy Pennysaver & News

LE ROY PENNYSAVER & NEWS - MAY 26, 2019 by Lynne Belluscio Through the generosity of the friends of Frank Elliott, Le- Roy will have a black granite bench dedicated to those men and women who served during the Korean War. After dona- tions were made to the Histor- ical Society, Frank’s wife Barb, agreed that it would be fitting to use the money for the bench. At first we thought of a planter, but we settled on a bench, a resting place for generations to come. A special thank you to Derrick Monument for helping with this special project. Frank’s fam- ily will be coming from Texas and they will be placing a spe- cial wreath, created by Joyce Cook at Lakestreet Florist, that includes the blue and white rib- bons worn by those who served in Korea. The Korean War started on June 25, 1950 when 75,000 North Korean soldiers came over the 38th parallel into South Korea. It was an attempt to im- pose communism on South Ko- rea and it was the first military conflict of what became known as the Cold War. Officially, the Korean War was a “police action” because President Tru- man never asked Congress for a formal declaration of war. The United Nations and sixteen na- tions were involved. Military hostilities ended on July 27, 1953 but Congress extended the war period to January 31, 1955 to extend benefit eligibility for soldiers because peace was un- certain. In fact, a peace treaty was never signed. There are still more than 7000 U.S. sol- diers listed as missing in action. Barb Elliott has read and indexed the LeRoy Gazette be- tween 1950 and 1954 looking for articles about the war. Here are some of them: 1950 August 31 – It was Hell – Louis Paladino 1950 September 7 - Peril is within not from without 1950 – September 28 - Naval reservists called to duty 1950 – October 12 - Captain Vagg wounded in Korea 1951 – February 22 - Armino Alive and Well 1951 – May 17 Korean War – Let America Speak 1951 – August 2 - Summer in Korea signals coming mon- soons 1951 - September 6 – Ed Citanovich wounded 1951 – November 1 – Dauber returns after Air Force duty in Korea 1951 – December 20 – Armino reported as prisoner of war 1952 – January 17 - Steedman promoted at Korean front 1952 – March 6 - Robert Ridd awarded Purple Heart 1953 – February 19 - Clyde Traxler now in Korea 1953 – September 17 - Heartening welcome given Armino prisoner of war Korean War Monument Dedication of the Korean War Monument – Memorial Day I Was That which others did not want to be I went where others feared to go, And did what others feared to do. I asked nothing of those who gave nothing And reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness Should I fail. I have seen the face of terror, Felt the sting cold of fear And tasted the sweet taste of a moment’s love I have cried, pained and hoped …. But most of all, I have lived the times others would say were best forgotten, But best of all and for all of that, each day I can proudly say “I am happy that I was a soldier!” Barb asked Frank’s good friend, Ernie Lusky, to read a poem that Frank liked. The poem was written by a Vietnam War veteran but it captures the thoughts of those who served in the Korean War.