Under sunny, brisk but calm skies, as many as 77 veterans of the Korean War were honored Saturday in a ceremony in Central Park, Honesdale. It was a long time after and a far different scene from what these vets remember, many of the memories yet vivid of a bloody war much of the nation has largely forgotten.
These men- and a couple women who were given tribute this day, are testament to the resolve American service members share as a badge of honor fighting for the ideals of freedom and democracy held dear within America’s shores. Such were the sentiments expressed by several speakers, prior to each one invited to come forward to receive a medal and an American flag.
Among the special honorees were two veterans who received the Purple Heart, Clayton Crum and George Glycenfer. Glycenfer was also a prisoner of war in North Korea for 18 months. (More of his story is planned for a story in Tuesday’s Wayne Independent). Also recognized was Lt. Col. (ret.) William Brustman, who served in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Debbie Gillette cited some statistics from the brief war of 1950-1953, which ended only in an armistice and not a peace treaty. There were 6.8 million Americans who answered the Call to Arms; of these, 54,200 died in the war. Sgt, Glycenfer, she pointed out, is one of 7,140 American prisoners of war. There were 131 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.
Eclipsed in the American consciousness by the saga of World War II and the controversy that brewed in the Vietnam War era, it was not until 1995 that a Korean War Veteran’s Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C.
Rep. Major assured the veterans that their sacrifice is very much appreciated and will always be remembered. “We will always be proud of you,” she said. “You willingly paid the cost fort freedom... our nation will always be grateful.” Rep. Peifer reminded that American Korean War veterans helped draw the line at the “38th parallel” and today South Korea prospers under democracy.
[From Wayne County alone, nine servicemen died in the Korean War. They were David L. Cole, Lookout; Harry P. Darby, Honesdale; Elmer Decker, Lake Como; Ralph Ellingsen, Hawley; Jesse J. Fairless, Gouldsboro; Donald E. Fueglein, Gouldsboro; Sidney Gager, Cold Springs; William C. Jones, Lake Ariel and Richard L. Kellam, Honesdale.]
The event was hosted by the Tour of Honor Committee, formed by the 2006 Leadership Wayne graduating class at the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce. Gillette, who is on the committee and emceed the program, again thanked the community for making possible the great honor the committee first bestowed in 2007, sending nearly 100 local World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. for a day of recognition and accolades.  While many said the committee would scarcely raise the projected $55,000 to make that trip a reality, approximately $72,000 was collected in four months time. Extra funds paid for this Korean War veteran tribute.
Senator Lisa Baker and State Representatives Sandra Major and Michael Peifer offered remarks, thanking the veterans for their service and acknowledging the effort of all our vets and those who serve on active duty at this time.
County Commissioner Brian Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance.
‘The NEPA Young Marines carried flags and the Wayne Choralaires offered several numbers. Among them was a melody of the Armed Forces’ tunes; as each one played, veterans who served in the army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard or Air Force were asked to stand. Olivia Frigoletto, age 10,  sang the National Anthem.

KOREAN VETERANS HONORED
Alfred M. Herzog, Alien J. Knehr, Ambrose Kilhullen, Arthur N. Kopp, Benjamin C. Coleman, Bruce Mackle, Carl W. Henry, Charles E. Butera, Clayton Crum, Clifford L. Cron, Cyrus Arnold, David E. Kahn, David McElroy, Don Earl Newman, Dr. Arthur Zeglan, Dr. Donald G. Myers, Edgar Jackson, Edward H. Devrieze, Edward J. Kennedy, Edwin E. Terrell, Elder Santos, Emmanuel Mazza, Eugene Durkin, Francis Fitzsimmons, Francis McGurk, Fred Garrity, George Alan Piercy,
George Canova, George Glycenfer, George Skeens, Gerald Clay, Gerald M. Eno, Glenn Lee, Gus Naring, Harold E.Wilcox, Harrison Balthaser, Herbert W. Messinger, Ivan Davis, Ivan Houghtaling, Jack Silberlicht, James A. Shaffer, Sr., Jerry Eno,
John Paul Garrah, Joseph A. Pienciak, Joseph A. Rosa, Joseph G. Kurey, Joseph M. Gallo, Lee Eisenhart, Maria A. Baldwin, Michael F. Krol, Jr., Millard George Styer, Neil Frank Bennett, Patrick Tufano, Ralph Westgate.
Raymond C. Pulis, Raymond Scull, Richard Baker, Richard Garrity, Richard Kreitner, Robert A. Ranieri, Sr., Robert D. Dougherty, Robert Hardy, Robert J. Davis, Jr., Robert Martin, Robert Mikulewicz, Robert Muller, Roger Dowdell, Romayne Canalizo, Ronald E. Lange, Russell Gillow, Theodore J. Knapp, Thomas B. Gordon, Thomas Fives, Tom Olver, Walter Sasso, Walter Williams, Willard Jack Ziegler, Sr., William Brustman, William J. Black, Jr., William J. Salak, William Tuman, Willis I. Cudney.

Next year: Vietnam veterans
Next year (2009) it is the Vietnam veterans’ turn in the sun. Tour of Honor Committee member Debbie Gillette said that a traveling scaled down version of the famed Vietnam Memorial Wall will be brought here, set up in Bingham Park, Hawley for four days. Ceremonies and a parade will mark the occasion, in late May, she stated. The cost, around $15,000, is almost in hand but some additional fund-raising will be necessary, Gillette added.