A U.S. lawmaker has introduced a bill calling for erecting a "Wall of Remembrance" at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington that would list the names of all American soldiers killed during the conflict.
Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX), who served in the 1950-53 war, introduced the bill (H.R.1475) Thursday that would authorize the wall's establishment and allow certain private contributions to fund the project. Cosponsoring the bill were Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-MI).
The proposed wall would list the names of all members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were killed in action during the Korean War and list the number of all American prisoners of war and those missing in action, Johnson's office said in a statement.
"Our war memorials are an important physical reminder that the price of freedom is not free," Johnson said in the statement.
"Fittingly, they also serve as places where all Americans can pay their respects to the brave men and women who fought on behalf of our great nation.
"Sadly, the Korean War and its veterans are often forgotten. And America's memorial for this forgotten war is incomplete. That is why this Wall of Remembrance is so important," he said.
J.D. Randolph, second vice president of the Korean War Veterans Association, expressed support for the bill, saying, "Thousands of young men gave their lives fighting for a mostly forgotten war," according to the statement.
Ret. Col. J.P. Hogan, Texas state president of the Association of the U.S. Army, also said in the statement that it is important to remember the names of "our Korean War brethren who were lost in action during this forgotten war."
"These warriors are to be remembered for their courage, their selflessness, and their commitment to duty, honor and country," he said. (Yonhap)
