A Memorial to Fallen Hero's

Today was a fantastic day because I only had to go to school for about an hour and thirty minutes.  Would of been cool to get the whole day off but oh well...

Anyways I took advantage of this day and went to a place I've been wanting to go for many months since I first learned of it's existence in the city of Changwon.  It is a Korean War Memorial that is specifically dedicated to the civilians and soldiers who fought on the Nakdong River front of the Korean War.  This river was a strategic line of defense during the war and many died defending it.

It was a really nice memorial and unlike many other 'tourist' sites I've been to in South Korea, this place was for the most part completely vacant of other people which I rather enjoyed.  It was very quiet and peaceful.  I guess quiet isn't the most accurate word to use because there is a never ending sound of traffic and industry going on in the background of just about anywhere you go.  I guess I just tuned it out.

As I walked and looked at everything I found myself just thinking about all the people that died.  I wondered if those that died could see what South Korea has become would they be proud?  Would they feel there sacrifice was worthwhile?  I really have no idea, who could?  Then I thought about the veterans that are still alive here.  Are they proud of what they did?  It really gets me sometimes when I see really old people walking the streets of Korea.  I think about all the changes that they have lived through in just 60 or so years.  South Korea went from being a war-torn nation to an economic and industrial powerhouse in a very short amount of time.  Those people must just have amazing stories.

It was a good time looking and walking and thinking.  I think I will show you some of the pictures I took. I hope you enjoy them.

The entrance sign

This sign gives some information on the significance of this monument.

I really enjoyed the design of this monument...

...Seemed to be a really nice symmetry about the whole thing.

A closer view of the top.

Looking inside

Inside the sphere are mortuary tablets of people who died defending the Nakdong River front.

The roof of the monument

A view of the South Korean flag from inside

Who knows...Maybe this soldier was real.  He fought for South Korea.  Maybe he died.  Today though his flag flies high.

Ordinary citizens and soldiers fought and died side by side defending their homes, their way of life and their freedom.

This pretty little bird and others like it were the only significant sound to be heard around the monument.  They had a very cheery and peaceful chirp.