At Korean Memorial, Remembering the 'Forgotten' War and One Long-Missing Soldier
By Marcy Norton
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Ceremonies were held today near Penn's Landing in remembrance of US war veterans.
Veterans and Philadelphia dignitaries were on hand at the Korean War Veterans' Memorial, at Second and Dock Streets, to honor veterans of the Korean War and all US wars.
One of those getting a special honor today was US Army corporal Robert Higgins, who went missing in action in February 1951 after his unit was overrun in South Korea.
His remains were identified last year, more than six decades later, thanks to DNA techniques, and his burial was held last April at a Bucks County cemetery.
Today, members of Higgins' family were on hand at the ceremony to place a wreath in honor of their late loved one.
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Judge Pat Dugan, master of ceremonies, reminded the crowd that no American "gives" their life for their country; rather, those lives are violently taken.
Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter, noting that Korea is sometimes called "the forgotten war," said it will never be forgotten by a grateful nation.
He told veterans in attendance today something they already know well: that America is always worth fighting for or, if necessary, worth dying for.