House considers resolution to honor Korean War vets

The U.S. House of Representatives is considering a resolution to honor the 6.8 million Americans who served in the Korean War by adding Korean War Armistice Day, July 27, to the list of days on which the American flag is displayed at half-staff.

The resolution (H.R. 2632) was introduced on Memorial Day by Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., a Korean War veteran. The resolution is co-sponsored by more than 40 representatives, including John Conyers, D-Mich.; and Sam Johnson, R-Texas, who are also veterans of the Korean War.

Current tensions with North Korea make the lessons and sacrifices from the Korean War pertinent. Sandwiched between World War II and Vietnam, "The Forgotten War" claimed 54,246 American casualties. Altogether, the three-year war created 4 million military and civilian casualties.

Korean War veterans will gather in Washington on July 27 to commemorate the freedom for which they fought.