F e d e r a l    D e p o s i t o r y    L i b r a r y    P r o g r a m

 

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                                May 15, 2001
                             GP 3.16/3-2:22/08
                             (Vol. 22, no. 08)

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                              Readers Exchange

      Joint Forces Staff College Library Participates in the National
                      Commemoration of the Korean War

                            Patricia M. Liquori
                            Reference Librarian
                         Joint Forces Staff College
                                Norfolk, VA

Norfolk, Virginia was designated by the Department of Defense and the
National Korean War Commemoration Committee as the first "Commemorative
Community" and was selected to host the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of
the Korean War. Norfolk was the largest debarkation point for American
forces during the Korean War. Numerous events were planned as part of the
commemoration, including a recreation of the Inchon Landing, living history
displays, a POW/MIA Remembrance Day Ceremony, Korean War Veterans' Parade,
a USO-type show, and a fireworks display.

Home to the MacArthur Memorial, which tells the story of American service
men and women who fought for their nation from the Civil War through the
Korean War, Norfolk's commemoration included participation by many civic,
religious, and educational groups. The Joint Forces Staff College Library
decided to tie in with the community celebration, and what began as an idea
for a small display on the Korean War turned into a full size museum
display of Korean War memorabilia.

With a lot of creative thought, time, talent, and memorabilia donations
from many sources, the library display began to grow. With the donation of
a full size reconditioned jeep as the focal point, the display covered one
corner of the first floor of the new library. The 1/4 ton 4 x 4 truck, used
during World War II and the Korean War, was restored by a former JFSC staff
member and was used during the recreation of the Inchon Landing during the
commemoration events. Surrounding "The Little Work Horse" were displays of
seasonal military uniforms and equipment used by American GI's, graphic
time lines of events, journal articles, military cartoons and library books
covering the war period. The display also included information on the
MacArthur Memorial and the Hampton Roads events. Two more displays, located
on the 2nd floor of the library, included memorabilia donated by staff
college members and a visual trivia display of life on the homefront during
the Korean War. JFSC students, faculty, staff and visitors to the college
were given a true glimpse of life during the Korean War and an opportunity
to remember those veterans who served during the sometimes "Forgotten War."