1 Korean War Memorial – Dedication Ceremony
Several hundred people attended the dedication of the Cedar City Korean War Memorial in September 2008 including more than two dozen Korean War veterans, South Korean Deputy Consul General Sung W. Shin, retired military brass from every service, and many Korean nationals. Also attending the ceremony was EvaDean Reeves Francisco, sister of Thiel Reeves, a U.S. fighter pilot, who was the only Cedar City soldier listed as Missing in Action during the conflict. Of particular note is the 213th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, from Cedar City that sent 600 men to the Korean War with no casualties. The 213th was the predecessor to the 222nd Battalion that is currently headquartered here.
2 Korean War Memorial – Sister Cities
Through the dedication and hard work of Sunni Lee, a Korean national who attended the original Korean War Memorial dedication, Cedar City and the Korean city of Gapyeong forged an international relationship of support and friendship officially becoming “sister cities” in 2009. The relationship between Gapyeong and Cedar City dates back to the Korean War, when some 240 soldiers from Cedar City and the surrounding areas serving with the Southern Utah 213th Field Artillery Battalion fought with Canadian and Australian troops in the Battle of Gapyeong in May of 1951. Though outnumbered, they fought heroically in a fierce battle now known as the “The Miracle of Gapyeong” because not one member of the 213th lost his life.
3 Korean War Memorial – Artist: Jerime Hooley
The Korean War Memorial, entitled “Never Forget,” was created by Jerime Hooley who works both as a high school art teacher and as a professional artist. Shortly after completing this statue he was commissioned to create another war memorial. Working closely with tribal leaders, Mr Hooley created a beautiful and powerful piece for the Ute Indian Tribe Veteran Memorial Park in Fort Duchesne, Utah.
Mr Hooley said this of his work,
“I am a very representational artist and at my best when I have the opportunity to create art for sacred public places such as the many Veterans Memorials I have been blessed to work with. I can think of no greater artistic purpose and will be forever grateful to those communities that have allowed me to serve them.”