A privately funded memorial
Near 20th Street
Battle Creek, Calhoun County
"This memorial is dedicated to the veterans of Korea who served their country so gallantly to preserve a free world
We proudly and gratefully acknowledge the supreme sacrifice by our fallen comrades
"In memory of the P.O.W. and M.I.A. who gave it all"
In memory of the men and women who fought and died for our freedom
Purple Heart Chapter 110 B.C. MI."
VFW Post 9489 BCFreedomPark, Michigan"
There is little doubt that few people in Battle Creek know about this memorial and fewer have seen it. I searched around the city center for nearly an hour, asking many people where a memorial may be located. Nada, zip, zero, zilch - nobody seemed to know. I was steered frequently to the VA Cemetery - they all seemed to think that was enough of a memorial. I finally rode toward the cemetery and dropped into a VA staff office to ask if there was a memorial near. After a bit of debate this Purple Heart Chapter location was elected as the closest monument to fit my purpose.
It's on a residential side street, next to a railroad track. It obviously doesn't get much traffic from casual visitors. But, that may be appropriate - the P.O.W. and M.I.A. issue always seems to be a back page debate. Except for those veterans that understand why it is important to remember those that did not come home.
