The winner will be selected June 25, the anniversary of the start of the war 54 years ago.
Out of 32…
The Queens Museum of Art is displaying the five finalist designs for the Korean War Veterans Memorial that will be built in Kissena Park in Flushing.
The winner will be selected June 25, the anniversary of the start of the war 54 years ago.
Out of 32 interested artists, five were selected in April as finalists for designing the monument.
The museum, in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, plans to display the monument proposals in the community gallery on the first floor from June 16 to June 20.
“We have achieved a milestone in the effort to build this monument,” Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) said. “The designs are all of incredible caliber, and the selection committee will no doubt have a difficult time of choosing the best one.”
The Korean war lasted from 1950 to 1953, and involved North and South Korea, the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K. and the People’s Republic of China.
The battle was waged over the spread of communism to North Korea. Nearly 44,000 U.S. troops died and 600,000 Koreans were killed as well. The war is known as the “Forgotten War” because of how much attention the Vietnam War garnered about 20 years later.
State Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin (D-Flushing) said it was appropriate that the monument would be built in Flushing where there is a substantial Korean population.
“This monument will honor the sacrifices of the men and women who fought to defend freedom and democracy in the Korean War,” he said. “It is most fitting to build this in the heart of the vibrant community here in Flushing.”
–Cynthia Koons
