"Forgotten War" remembrance ceremony in Pittsfield, Massachusetts

PITTSFIELD, M.A. (NEWS10) — It’s a war many don’t talk about, but for veterans and families in Pittsfield, Massachusetts the sacrifices made during the Korean War are deeply remembered. Today the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization and the members of community honored 20 local lives lost during a powerful ceremony at the Korean War Memorial.

The ceremony commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. It helped the community remember those who served and sacrificed and to make sure their names will not be forgotten.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars organization has been doing this ceremony for the Korean War for a few years now. They come together one day a year in front of City Hall to remember the soldiers that gave up their lives and served in the Korean War. Henry R. Morris, quartermaster for the VFW post 448 believes the war has often been overlooked, simply because of what came before and after it

"World War Two was over. There was a big celebration for World War Two. And Korea started…a lot of World War two Veterans had to go fight in Korea and then Vietnam started," said Morris.

More than 36,000 Americans lost their lives in what they call the "Forgotten War" and over a thousand lost their lives thereafter according to the VFW organization. A bell was tolled for each of the 20 names read by commander Arnold Perras that were killed in action and that are citizens of Pittsfield Massachusetts. Quartermaster Henry Morris says the ceremony holds deep personal meaning for Director of Veterans Services Jim Clark's father because he knew all of them. 

“All 20 of those were classmates of his in Pittsfield High School right here. So they grew up here, they lived here, and they ended up dying in Korea,” said Morris.

The ceremony ended with taps being played by Honor Guard member, Joe Difilippo. A final salute to the lives lost. The VFW organization would like to continue doing events like this, but membership is lacking due to people dying or being incapacitated.

“A lot of people that we're trying to recruit today, the younger generation, Iraq, Afghanistan veterans,” Arnold Perras, Commander of VFW post 448 said. “We're waiting for them to carry the torch forward.”