Henderson County Korean War, Hendersonville
The polished Black African marble monument honors those from Henderson County who served
during the Korean War. The memorial stands slightly over 4 ft. tall including the base. The front
face is beveled with a gable top. It is decorated with a representation of the war’s service medal
and ribbon on a black background. The ribbon is blue and white striped with two silver stars
representing 10 major campaigns. This marker is one of nine memorials honoring Henderson
County war dead that form “The Honor Walk” on the grounds of the old Henderson County
Courthouse.
Images:
Rear view
Front: KOREAN / WAR / 6-25- 50 7-27- 53 / “FREEDOM / IS NOT FREE”
Rear: HENDERSON COUNTY KOREAN WAR / COMMEMORATIVE COMMITTEE
Henderson County
November 11, 2003. Rededication: April 13, 2008
35.314440 , -82.460170
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'Korean War," The Historical Marker database, HMdb.org, (accessed October 12, 2015) Link
Borden, Sidney, Steven Chickos, and Daniel Jourdan. "The Korean War: North Carolina's Commemoration of the 'Forgotten War'," uploaded February 4, 2014, YouTube, (accessed February 4, 2014) Link
Chick Evans, Henderson County Korean Commemorative Committee member. Email dated June 3, 2016
Giles, Jennie Jones. “Counties to Honor Armed Services Members,” BlueRidgeNow.com, Times- News Online, November 9, 2003, (Accessed October 5, 2020) Link
Henderson County Heritage Museum, Hendersonville, NC, (accessed October 3, 2022) Link
Kelly, Leigh. “Courthouse Ceremony Pays Tribute to Nation’s War Dead,” BlueRidgeNow.com, Times-News Online, April 14, 2008, (accessed October 1, 2019) Link
Schulman, Mark. “Courthouse Commemorates Veterans,” BlueRidgeNow.com, Times-News Online, April 10, 2008, (accessed October 1, 2015) Link
Yes
Black African Marble
Henderson County Korean War Commemorative Committee
The Korean War marker was originally dedicated during Veterans Day ceremonies in 2003 with veterans
from all military services and all wars since World War II present. Chick Evans, a member of the
Henderson County Korean Commemorative Committee, acted as Master of Ceremonies. After the
monument was dedicated before a crowd of 300 people, retired Army Brigadier General Frank Blazey
spoke of the sacrifices made by Korean War Veterans. “Hopefully this memorial will help heal spiritual
and psychological wounds of the veteran and their families,” he said. He also urged those present to
support the men and women currently serving in the military. The ceremony ended with the laying of
wreaths by veterans groups and a fly-over by members of the Western North Carolina Air Museum. The
East Hendersonville High School Band Ensemble played the national anthem and taps. Sunday
afternoon, April 13, 2008, saw the dedication or rededication of the Korean War and eight other
markers honoring Henderson County war dead. This ceremony was the culmination of a three day event
to celebrate the ten million dollar restoration of the historic Henderson County Courthouse and its re-
dedication as the home of the Henderson County Heritage Museum.
The Hendersonville Community Band played patriotic tunes while the crowd of over 200 sang along,
prayed and listened to speakers and watched veterans lay wreaths on monuments honoring the fallen in
all wars in American history. “What mean these stones?” asked George A. Jones, chairman of the
Henderson County Heritage Museum Board. “We have erected them in honor of all of these. This should
never be made in a light-hearted or frivolous manner. There’s too much blood, too much sacrifice, too
much death they represent,” he answered to his own question. Korean War Veterans placed a wreath
on this monument during the ceremony.
The monument is located by the Henderson County Heritage Museum (Old Henderson County Courthouse) at 1 Historic Courthouse Square, Hendersonville NC. Several monuments are nearby, including Revolutionary Soldiers Memorial, Confederate Soldier Memorial, Union Soldiers Monument, War Memorial, World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan monuments.
The marker stands on the lawn in front of the Historic Henderson County Courthouse.
After 18 months of planning and fundraising, the Korean War Commemorative Committee produced a replica of the proposed monument and placed it on the courthouse grounds. An audience with the County Commissioners resulted in permission to build and place the monument.
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