The Korean War (for far too long) was referred to as "The Forgotten War", but those who were there knew the costs and referred to it (often with almost invisible tears in their eyes) as the "Freedom is not Free" war.
While I've been to the D.C. area a number of times in the last few years, I had not visited the National Mall since the Korean War Memorial was built in the mid-90s. This last trip, I made it a point to take the journey into D.C. for two purposes. The main one was to see the Korean War Memorial and the secondary one was to see the WWII memorial (currently under construction). It is about time that the WWII memorial was built (thank you Tom Hanks) and the feelings standing at the Korean Memorial are overwhelming.
And yet, we don't really teach anything about the Korean War in schools anymore. Today's youth have no concept of or understanding that "Freedom is not Free". You hear it in their comments and it was visible on their faces on the National Mall. ("I didn't know we fought korea" from a young girl and "Why do they have statues of a bunch of koreans?" from an upper-teenaged boy
Don't worry, that last teenager was "informed" by the numerous Korean War Vets who were there)
If you get the chance, stop by the National Mall, visit these Memorials. If you can find it in your heart, pay respects to those who made our lives here possible. If you see a Vet, Thank them for their service. And when you talk to children and young adults, explain to them that "Freedom is not Free".
"OUR NATION HONORS HER SONS AND DAUGHTERS WHO ANSWERED THE CALL TO DEFEND A COUNTRY THEY NEVER KNEW AND A PEOPLE THEY NEVER MET."
