Johnston, Iowa — The Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge is inviting the public to attend a Korean War Armistice remembrance ceremony at the museum at the Camp Dodge Joint Maneuver Training Center.
The center is at 7105 NW 70th Avenue in Johnston, and the ceremony will be this Friday, July 28 at 10 a.m.
Officials with the museum tell us this year marks the 70th anniversary of the armistice signing. The Korean War began June 25, 1950, and lasted until July 27, 1953. Nearly 85,000 Iowans served in the war, and 508 were killed.
The ceremony will include a reading of a proclamation signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, remarks by Junghan Kim, Consul General of Chicago, recognition of living Korean War Veterans, and displays of military equipment and uniforms from the era. Mark W. Clark for the United Nations Command, Peng Dehuai for the Chinese and Kim Il-sung for the North Koreans signed the agreement. That same day, the shooting stopped, and the armies began the process of withdrawing from their positions to what became a 2.5-mile-wide demilitarized zone on the Korean peninsula.
Visitors can enter Camp Dodge through the main gate at 7100 NW 70th Avenue, Johnston, Iowa. Photo identification is required for admittance to Camp Dodge for individuals 16 years and older.
For additional information or questions about this event, you can contact Michael Vogt, Museum Curator, 515-252-4531 or visit the museum website at goldstarmuseum.iowa.gov.
