South Korea Helps Repair Vandalized Korean War Memorial in New Jersey

by Dana Marie / Jul 28, 2015 05:47 AM EDT

Monday has been an unforgettable day for Korean War veterans and their loved ones in Jersey City as the restored memorial is officially unveiled. Thanks to the $100,000 donation, which the Hudson Korean War Veterans Association received on November 2014, from the people of Uijeongbu City in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

The group's commander, Eddie Paradine, states during the event, "... now we can celebrate it by putting the finishing touches on the monument..."

The refurbishment project was necessary after the memorial was vandalized on October 2014. Granite etchings were scribbled on, while mounted floodlights were broken and then ripped. According to war veteran and project manager Joseph Swinson, it has been years since the vandalism started. But the acts from August to September have gotten increasingly damaging.

What has been upsetting is that the war veterans are mostly responsible for the memorial's maintenance. The city's officials help when they can. The act has been offensive also because the place is a remembrance of the soldiers who have sacrificed their lives.

Restoring the etchings and lights has been possible with the financial assistance of South Korea. A few companies have also lent helping hands. Burns Bros. Memorials has engraved the circular memorial with eighteen new pictures portraying scenes from the Korean War as well as modern day South Korea. Fields Development Group has donated new floodlights, preventing any more vandalism. There are also plans to install surveillance cameras to ensure that no one will dare deface or destroy the memorial.

Hyung Gil Kim from New York's Consulate General of the Republic of Korea together with some members of the Korean-American Association of New Jersey and officials of Jersey City are present in the event.

Kim has expressed his appreciation, saying, "I was born and educated in a free democratic nation and now I'm here with you today, all because of your services and sacrifices of the Korean War veterans".