‘Forgotten War’ should be remembered

In a few days, many of us will pause to remember a significant date in our history. July 27 will mark the 50th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities of the Korean War. Unfortunately, most of us, however, will not remember the "forgotten war."

It was one of America’s most brutal wars, where U.S. forces and other U.N. nations together stopped the superior-numbered Soviet and Chinese communist forces from gobbling up the then-new Republic of Korea (South) and probably the rest of Asia. Americans paid a hefty price between June 25, 1950 and July 27, 1953 — 5,720,000 Americans served, 54,246 lost their lives (33,692 in country), 7,286 became prisoners of war, 2,847 died in inhuman captivity, and 8,207 still remain missing and unaccounted for.

Faced with those horrific statistics, it has always puzzled me how, for so many, it remains the forgotten war. As good residents, we Americans are encouraged to fly our beautiful flag daily, or at least on significant holidays.

I will fly mine July 27 at half-staff in memoriam. Freedom is not free.

Sal Cassati

Aberdeen