The annual Effingham County Veterans Day observance will pay homage to Korean War veterans.

The program will be held Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park, and the guest speaker will be Harrell Roberts, a member of the Marine Corps Reserve and a member of the Savannah unit that mobilized and was one of the first units to go into action on the Korean peninsula. Several special features regarding these vets and the “forgotten war” they served in will be conducted.

Four Effingham citizens gave their life in the Korean War. Many were wounded, and one is still is unaccounted for.

“It was a ground war that had no formal declaration of war and peace treaty that only one side signed and agreed to,” said Ruth Lee of the Veterans Park board. “It was frequently called ‘the Korean Conflict.’ But there are those who well know that it was war.

“When wars are discussed, frequently this one is not mentioned. It is the frequently ‘forgotten war of America.’ This does not take away from those who valiantly fought in a country that they did not know and a people they did not know, because that is what American does. It is past the time that these veterans be given their rightful recognition and public thanks for their unselfish service.”

There are more than 360 names of Effingham citizens who served during the Korean War whose names are on Veterans Park wall.

“Not all of these served in Korea. They served wherever their branch of service saw fit to send them,” Lee explained. “As we approach this Veterans Day, make your plans to include about an hour and one-half at the Veterans Park of Effingham in Springfield and make known your gratitude to these veterans who are still here among us and pay tribute to those who are no longer here on earth with us.”

In case of inclement weather the program will be moved to the auditorium at the Board of Education complex in Springfield.