Clallam group and city honor Korean War veterans

Published 5:40 pm Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Washington’s only Korean War group was honored at the City of Sequim’s June 13 council meeting.

Members of the Korean War Veterans Association 310 of Clallam County stood at attention while Mayor Ken Hays declared Saturday, June 25, as Korean War Remembrance Day.

“We’re honored to be a part of this great community,” said Gerald Rettela, staff sergeant, U.S. Army infantry.

The Korean War began June 25, 1950, when the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Army invaded the Republic of South Korea. The war ended July 27, 1953.

The U.S. sustained 33,628 soldiers’ deaths during the war and more than 2,000 after a treaty was signed. Washington had 528 soldiers die and Clallam County had six die during the conflict.