Left to right: Kitty Misiaszek, Joey Misiaszek, Alan Albarran, Sam Karr, Kathy Dial
Joey Misiaszek
Led by Sam Karr, I was tasked to create a shadow box memorial to be displayed for all to see. Inside this memorial is a letter in Korean and English signed by Kim Dae-Jung (President of South Korea) thanking those countries and military personnel for their service. Also, a Purple Heart and badges representing the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.
With the help of Kitty Misiaszek, Kathy Dial, Sam Karr, Alan Albarran, and Judy Riffel, this inlaid shadow box will be on display.
Several places around North Texas are being considered for the home of this reminder of one of the costliest battles of the Korean War.
The following is a short explanation of what transpired that day:
“Seventy years ago this week, hundreds of Cleveland and Akron reservists who’d been activated to plug holes in front-line units in the Korean War disembarked their ships in Korea and were rushed to the front in rugged terrain near the Chinese border. What they encountered in the hills near the Chosin Reservoir was unexpected and bloody: China’s surprise Thanksgiving attack across the Yalu River, intervening in the war and overwhelming widely dispersed U.S. Army infantry units in hills to the east of the reservoir, known as Changjin in Korea, and elements of a Marine division to its west. Army troops and their wounded were brutally cut down as they tried to retreat south through narrow mountain valleys. Those who escaped across the ice to Marine positions joined Marines in their epic but costly “breakout” from Chosin, fighting through Chinese forces and enduring the savage cold, frostbite, and deep snow of one of the coldest Korean winters on record.” (Editorial Board, cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer)