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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 VD Press PacketVeterans Day Events 11 November 2010 12:00 Noon - The Korean War and 60 Year ROK/USA Alliance Speaker: GEN Paik, Sun Yup, ROKA (Ret.) George Bush Presidential Museum Audtiorium 1000 George Bush Drive, College Station, Texas 3:00 p.m. - Formal Dedication of Korean War Memorial Speaker: GEN John H. Tilelli, Jr. USA (Ret.) Speaker: GEN Paik, Sun Yup, ROKA (Ret.) Lynn Stuart Pathway Military History Trail Veterans Memorial Park & Athletic Complex 3101 Harvey Road, College Station, Texas 4:30 p.m. - Reading of Names added to the Wall of Honor Speaker: Bill Youngkin, Esq. Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board of Directors Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial, Louis L. Adam Plaza Veterans Memorial Park & Athletic Complex 3101 Harvey Road, College Station, Texas 5:30 p.m. - Veterans Day Program Speaker: Lt. Gen. (MD) Paul K. Carlton, Jr. USAF (Ret.) American Pavilion, Veterans Memorial Park & Athletic Complex 3101 Harvey Road, College Station, Texas All events are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Anne Boykin, Chief Information Officer, Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board of Directors, 979.450.3296, aboykin@cstx.gov. COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS Univ e r s i t y D r i v e SH 6 ( B Y - P A S S ) Harv e y R o a d SH 3 0 SH 6 0 TEXAS A&M TE X A S A V E N U E N Vet e r a n s P k w y SH 6 ( B Y - P A S S ) Harv e y SH 3 0 SH 6 0 TEXAS A&M TE X A S A V E N U E  N F M 2 8 1 8 Geor g e B u s h W e l l b o r n R o a d George Bush Presidential Library & Museum Veterans Park & Athletic Complex BVVM PRESS RELEASE 1 November 2010 1/2 P R E S S R E L E A S E 1 November 2010 HONORING OUR VETERANS THIS VETERANS DAY & KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL DEDICATION UPDATE College Station, Texas -- The Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board of Directors is honored to announce the schedule of events surrounding Veterans Day, Thursday, 11 November 2010. All events will take place at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. The park is .8 miles east of Hwy. 6 on Harvey Rd. (Hwy. 30) in College Station. 3:00 p.m. – Dedication of the Korean War Memorial on the Lynn Stuart Pathway 4:30 p.m. – Reading of the names for 2010 at the Veterans Memorial Wall of Honor, Louis L. Adam Memorial Plaza 5:30 p.m. – Veterans Day Program, American Pavilion Carts will be available for those needing assistance between the events. Dedication of the Korean War Memorial and “Katchi Kapshida.” This is the slogan of the long-standing relationship between the United States military forces and those of the Republic of Korea. “We Go Together,” is more than a slogan; it is a way of life for the military alliance that was forged in blood and has stood together against the forces of North Korea for 60 years. Now, this is the name for a significant new memorial for Veterans Park in College Station, Texas. The focal point of this memorial is a dramatic sculpture of a Korean Soldier and an American Soldier, standing side by side. Each statue is life size with authentic uniforms, equipment and weapons of the era. The Board of Directors of the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial commissioned the artist, J. Payne Lara, of Navasota, to create this original work of art along with two other sculptures for the newly opened Lynn Stuart Pathway history walk. Much of the funding for the Korean War memorial has been generously provided by six prominent Korean individuals lead by retired General Paik, Sun Yup. General Paik is known as the Father of the modern Korean Army. At 28 years old he commanded the Korean First Infantry Division during the Korean War and was South Korea’s first four-star general. -See p.2.- 2010 Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Officers Chairman Emeritus Al Jones MG, USA (Ret.) Chairman Emeritus Travis Small COL, USA (Ret.) President Mike Newman CAPT, USN (Ret.) Vice-President Randolph House LG, USA (Ret.) Vice-President Fain McDougal Treasurer Ron Silvia TSGT, USAF (Ret.) Secretary Brian Hilton SFC., USA (Ret.) Chief Information Officer Anne Boykin  Website: www.bvvm.org BVVM PRESS RELEASE 1 November 2010 2/2 In the spirit of “Katchi Kapshida,” these generous and loyal individuals have underwritten the cost of the American Soldier statue and the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board of Directors provided funding for the Korea Soldier statue. We are pleased to announce that Gen. Paik Sun- Yup will be participating in the Veterans Day program , along with other dignitaries from South Korea. Gen. John H. Tilelli, Jr., from Washington, D.C., will be escorting Gen. Paik and will also present on the program. This year is the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. In the early morning hours of 25 June 1950, North Korea launched a general offensive against the Republic of Korea (ROK) with the purpose of unifying the peninsula by force to create a communist state. The ensuing war resulted in a multinational response that included 10 major campaigns and over 54,000 U.S. deaths due to battle and other causes. An armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, which among other things resulted in a highly defended, 4 kilometer wide Demilitarized Zone separating North Korea and South Korea. Although the Armistice remains in effect today, North Korea never signed a peace treaty, so technically North and South Korea are still at war and the South Korean/United States Alliance remains as important today as it was in 1950. The Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board is pleased to include this new attraction to the Memorial grounds as a tribute to all who served during this period in our nation’s history. Reading of the Names to be placed on the Wall of Honor for 2010 Each year, names of veterans (living or deceased) are added to the existing Wall of Honor by their families or friends. The new names will be read aloud by BVVM member Bill Youngkin. Currently, there are 4,366 names. Over 230 names will be added this year. The cost of adding a name is $100. Veterans Day Program The keynote speaker is Lt. Gen. Paul K. Carlton, Jr., MD, the former surgeon general of the USAF. Lt. Gen. Carlton is currently serving as the director of the Office of Homeland Security for the Texas A&M University Health Science Center. A special seating section will be set aside for WWII and Korean War veterans. Members of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band, the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets and the Ross Volunteers will participate in helping us to make this annual event a most honorable and respectful ceremony. See attachments for more information about Veterans Park and Athletic Complex. For more information contact: Anne Boykin Chief Information Officer Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial Board of Directors aboykin@cstx.gov 979.764.3491 or 979.450.3296 ### VVEETTEERRAANNSS PPAARRKK && AATTHHLLEETTIICC CCOOMMPPLLEEXX PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT FACT SHEET PARK SITE  Funding approved by voters on March 25, 1995 to acquire regional park site  150 acres located in the City of College Station; Park Zone 4  Acquired from Bert Wheeler, Ltd. in 1998  $1,500,000 cost of land acquisition  Several archeological sites were identified during survey  Property includes extensive wetlands and natural areas  Street Address - 3101 Harvey Road, College Station PARK NAME  "Veterans Park and Athletic Complex"  Suggested by John P. Nichols, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member  Approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in summer 1998  Approved by the City Council on October 12, 1998 MASTER PLAN  O'Malley Engineers selected for planning and design process in October 1999  Master Plan approved by the City Council on May 25, 2000  Names of all future facilities approved by the City Council on July 26, 2001  Soccer fields, softball fields, pavilions, trails, and natural areas included  Area reserved for development of a Veterans Memorial  Three (3) phases recommended for completion over a multi-year period PHASE I PROJECT  Funding approved by the voters November 3, 1998  Design - O'Malley Engineers; Boetcher Architects; Swoboda Engineering (MEP); Pete Vanecek, Landscape Architect, CSPARD  Project Manager - Ric Ploeger, CSPARD  Contractor - Acklam Construction bid awarded Fall 2000  $2,936,000 cost of development  Six (6) adult soccer fields (2 lighted)  Two (2) adult softball fields (lighted)  Two (2) restrooms  Maintenance Facility  Sidewalks, parking, roadways, and landscaping PHASE II PROJECT  Funding approved by voters in the November 4, 2003 election  Design - O'Malley Engineers; Holster and Associates Architect; Swoboda Engineering (MEP); Pete  Vanecek, Landscape Architect, CSPARD  Contractor - JaCody, Inc. bid awarded February 23, 2006  Project Manager - Ric Ploeger, CSPARD  Three (3) additional lighted adult softball fields (Old Glory Complex)  Three (3) additional lighted adult soccer fields  Includes "full service" 8,557 SF softball concession facility  Includes additional landscaping, restrooms, and 411 parking spaces  Veterans Parkway extended one-quarter mile  Expansion of the maintenance facility  500 person capacity, 9,912 SF group pavilion (American Pavilion) with kitchen, restrooms, playground, and stage  Includes a one (1) mile concrete heritage trail (America's Mile)  $6,925,000 total budget  Projected completion by Fall 2007  Savings from project will pay for the extension of Veteran’s Parkway to University Drive - 2007 FUTURE PHASE III ~ (No funding currently authorized))  Four (4) lighted adult soccer fields  Four (4) field, lighted, adult softball complex (Eagle Complex) and batting cages  Additional landscaping, restrooms, and parking  Completion of a second group pavilion (Texas Pavilion)  Additional trails and walking paths  Completion forecast - 2013 or later  Native American Interpretive Center MEMORIAL FOR ALL VETERANS OF THE BRAZOS VALLEY  Developed as a separate public art project  Coordinated by the Memorial for All Veterans of the Brazos Valley, Inc.  Support from the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, Bryan, College Station & Brazos County  Artist ~ Robert Eccleston  Landscape design ~ Larry Schueckler  Project Manager ~ Lynn Stuart  Funded with public and private contributions from the Brazos Valley  Dedication on November 11, 2002, in honor of all veterans  Expansion dedicated on November 11, 2005  War on Terror Memorial dedicated on November 11, 2005  Lynn Stuart Pathway & American Revolution Memorial dedication July 1, 2010  Memorial artist for American Revolution, Texas Independence & Korea – J. Payne Lara  War for Texas Independence Memorial dedication – October 2, 2010  Korean War Memorial dedication November 11, 20210  Over 4,600 veterans’ names have been engraved  Future additions include completion of remaining 15 war memorials by 2026 (250th anniversary of US) For additional information contact College Station Parks & Recreation Department at (979) 764-3486. BRAZOS VALLEY VETERANS MEMORIAL SPEAKER’S BUREAU BRIEFING NOTES “The mission of the Memorial for all Veterans of the Brazos Valley, Inc., is to take a proactive role in honoring veterans who have served in the uniformed services of the United States.” MEMORIAL FOR All VETERANS OF THE BRAZOS VALLEY, INC. was chartered as a non-profit corporation by the State of Texas on July 17, 2000. The web site is www.bvvm.org The Memorial is located on 12 acres in the VETERANS PARK & ATHLETIC COMPLEX in the heart of the Bryan and College Station community. The Memorial was developed with generous support from the Cities of Bryan, College, Brazos County and numerous individuals, corporations and organizations. Dedication of the Memorial took place on November 10 with former President George H. W. Bush speaking and on Veteran’s Day November 11, 2002 with several thousand in attendance. The Veterans Memorial is located on the LOUIS L. ADAM MEMORIAL PLAZA. This area was designed by Robert Eccleston (Sculpture), Larry Schueckler (Landscape Architect), Stanton Ware (Graphics Design) Lynn Stuart (Project Manager) & David Romei (Design Chair). The funding for the plaza was made possible through a generous gift by Donald A. Adam in honor of his father. The “War on Terror” memorial was dedicated on May 31, 2005. The memorial honor wall was expanded and dedicated on November 11, 2005. The Lynn Stuart Pathway was dedicated on September 22, 2006 and will be approximately one mile in length when complete. The trail is 8’ wide concrete and is fully accessible to wheelchairs. A matching grant from Texas Parks & Wildlife Department ($95,000) was approved for the pathway project on January 30, 2007. The project includes benches, granite markers and interpretive panels. The trail was completed in the summer of 2009. The “Travis B. Bryan, Jr. Freedom Pavilion” was dedicated on February 19, 2007 and it includes an electronic kiosk that provides detailed information. This memorial is unique in that it honors all veterans from all eras and all branches of service (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard & Merchant Marine). The “Wall of Honor” contains over 4,366 (+233 in 2010) veteran’s names and there is space for approximately 6,000 additional names. Names may be submitted throughout the year and a $100 donation is requested to cover the expenses associated with the process. August 15th is the deadline for names to be added for the annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony. The long-range plan calls for additional memorials to be located along the Lynn Stuart Pathway honoring the veterans of each of the 17 major wars in American history and the War for Texas Independence. Memorials for the American Revolution, Texas Independence and the Korean War were completed in 2010. These future memorials have not been designed nor has an order of priority been established at this time. Financial support is needed to complete these memorials. The lasting value of this memorial is the education of future generations; To share with them the fact that freedom comes at a great cost; and, that freedom is not free. General Paik, Sun Yup ROKA (Ret.) BIOGRAPHY Paik, Sun Yup the foremost ROK Army General of the Korean War, was born in 1920 near Pyongang. After service in the Manchurian Army during World War II, he escaped the onrushing Soviet Army for Pyongyang, where he was actively involved in Korea’s fledging national liberation movement. Realizing in 1946 that a communist takeover in the north was inevitable, Paik made his way to the south and joined the South Korean Constabulary (later become the ROK Army). When North Korea launched their general offensive against the Republic of Korea on 25 June 1950, then Colonel Paik was commander of the ROK 1st Infantry Division. During the course of the war, he became the first South Korean to achieve four-star general rank. Paik participated in all ten of the major campaigns of the Korean War; he commanded an independent corps that conducted the largest anti-guerilla operation of the war; and he was the ROK’s initial representative to the Armistice negotiations. Following the signing of the Armistice, Paik served twice as ROK Army Chief of Staff and was also Chairman of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff. He retired from active duty in 1960 as the most highly decorated soldier of the ROK Army. His military decorations include two awards of the Taeguk Medals (Korea's highest award), as well as seven U.S. medals, including one Silver Star, four Legions of Merit and Defense Medal for distinguished civilian public service. After his retirement from the ROK Army, General Paik served as ambassador to Taiwan in 1960, France (and concurrently 16 other European and African nations) in 1961, and Canada in 1965. From 1969 to 1971, he served as the ROK Minister of Transportation and played a significant role in establishing the public transportation system of present-day South Korea. From 1971 to 1980, he was president of South Korea’s largest chemical company. From 1999 to 2003, he was chairman of the ROK 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee Residing in Seoul, Paik and his wife, of sixty two years, In Sook, have four children and eight grandchildren. He is the author of several books, including “From Pusan to Panmunjom” (1992), and now he is chairman of the Military History Compilation Institute Advisory Committee of MND and also the 1st president of the AROKA. General Paik, Sun Yup ROKA (Ret.) BIOGRAPHY (Cont.) Oct. 11, 1920: Born in Kangseo, Pyung Nam Province CAREER AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND Mar. 1940 Graduated Pyungyang College of Education Dec. 1941 Graduated Bong Chun Military Academy in Manchu - 1st LT during WW II Feb. 1946 Graduated Military English School Feb. 26, 1946 Joined the Army, commissioned as a 1LT, Assigned as A CO CDR, 5th Regiment Sep. 1946 1st Bn CDR, 5th Regiment Jan. 1947 5th Regiment CDR, Promoted to LTC Apr. 11, 1948 Chief of Intelligence, Army HQ Nov. 1948 Promoted to COL Jul. 30, 1949 5th Division CDR (Kwang Ju), age 28 Apr. 23, 1950 ROK 1st Division CDR Jun. 25, 1950 Break out of the Korean War Jul. 25, 1950 Promoted to Brigadier General, age 29 Apr. 15, 1951 1st Corps CDR, Promoted to Major General Jul. 10, 1951 Representative of Military Armistice Committee Nov. 16, 1951 Commander of Paik’s Field Army Jan. 12, 1952 Promoted to Lieutenant General Apr. 15, 1952 2nd Corps CDR Jul. 23, 1952 Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Martial Law Administrator Jan. 31, 1953 Promoted to General (First time in Korean History) Feb. 14, 1954 FROKA CDR May 18, 1957 Chief of Staff of the Army (2nd time) Feb. 23, 1959 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff May 31, 1960 Retired Jul. 15, 1960 Korean Ambassador to Tawain Jul. 4, 1961 Korean Ambassador to France (to include Spain and Portugal) Jul. 12, 1965 Korean Ambassador to Canada Oct. 21, 1969 Minister of Transportation Jun., 1971 President of Chung Ju and Honam Fertilizer Company 1989 Chairman, ROK Retired Generals and Admirals Association 1989 Chief of War Memorial Sponsorship Association 1999 Chairman, 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee Oct. 2003 Chairman, Advisory Committee, Military History Compilation Institute, MND Feb. 2007 President, Association of the ROKA DECORATIONS Medal of Honor (2) Distinguished Service Cross (2) Defense Distinguished Service Medal National Service Merit of Industrial 7 Medals Awarded from the United States to include: Silver Star and Defense Superior Service Medal BOOKS 1000 Days in the Korean War (1988, Japan) Military and Me (1989) Jiri Mountain (1992) From Pusan to Panmunjom (1992, Paperback edition 1999, US) June 25, 1950, Long, Long Summer Day (1999) Korean War of Young Soldier (2000, Japan) J. PAYNE LARA Born in Brenham, Texas and raised in Navasota, Texas, J. Payne Lara showed an early interest in drawing, with an exceptional talent at molding and shaping clay figures at a very young age. Living on a ranch and growing up in a family of cowboys, he had his Western heritage instilled in his heart, and it has certainly played an important role in inspiring his art. A contestant in rodeos across the country, he has competed in bull riding and calf roping, and continues to compete in the team roping event. The seriousness of his artistic talent became clear in high school, when he won many area and regional art awards, including a "Best of Show" award at the 1990 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. That honor earned him a scholarship to study at the Cowboy Artists of America Museum in Kerrville, Texas. He studied intensely in two media: oil painting and sculpture, and solidified his determination to become a fine Western artist. After high school, Payne went on to further his education by attending Sam Houston State University, but found "academic art" a slow, unchallenging and frustrating process. Packing his pick-up truck with his belongings and his sculpting supplies, he left the university in his first year and set out to become a full-time professional artist. Determined to learn the trade first-hand, Payne visited and studied with various well-known professional artists who generously shared their expertise. His subjects vary from cowboy life to wildlife, but the true passion of his art is the Native American Plains Indian. He spends much of his time learning about the traditional customs and culture of the Sioux. Through his art, Payne hopes to portray the proud people who once lived in total harmony with the earth. Payne’s art continues to earn him awards and recognition, and he’s been featured in a variety of publications and television programs. His honesty and artistry are evident in works and he is dedicated to fulfilling his goal of becoming a fine Western artist. Payne has been by commissioned the Board of Directors for the Brazos Valley Veterans Memorial to create three, life size bronze sculptures for the Lynn Stuart Pathway. The sculptures will be the focal points of memorials for the AMERICAN REVOLUTION, WAR FOR TEXAS INDEPENDENCE and the KOREAN WAR. These sculptures will represent service members in accurate dress, equipment and weapons of those eras. Payne has numerous works of public art located throughout the Brazos Valley region.