Korean War memorial dedicated in Operation Welcome Home launch in Myrtle Beach

by Steve Palisin

Looking at the Korean Conflict plaque on a granite stone dedicated today in Myrtle Beach’s Valor Memorial Garden, Dolores Braginton realized that war began June 25, 1950 — nine years before her birth date.

The Myrtle Beach resident was among a group of area Blue Star Mothers of America serving cookies and treats for many of the 200 people who turned out for a breezy, but sunlit, ceremony to honor all living and deceased Korean War veterans and announce the kickoff of Operation Welcome Home in Myrtle Beach.

Braginton’s son, a captain in the U.S. Air Force, served in Qatar and now teaches in Reserve Officer Training Corps program in Florida.

"I became a Blue Star mom right after 9/11," she said, referring to the nationwide volunteer group whose members have or had children in the military and like to help celebrate all service members’ return home after tours of duty overseas.

Addressing the crowd, Kris Tourtellotte, founder/director of Operation Welcome Home in Myrtle Beach, a partnership with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, said veterans returning home from any war do not seek accolades.

"A simple ‘Thank you’ will make their day," he said.

Anyone who has a family member in the military and returning to the Grand Strand is encouraged to call 916-7288, so Operation Welcome Home and chamber officials can help organize greetings and any support services needed.

Kenneth Sewall of Garden City Beach, an Army corporal who served 10 months in Korea, reflected after the ceremony about his return stateside in 1953.

"It was just like you’d never been away," said Sewall, 79. "We’re all very proud of what we did, and we just don’t want to be forgotten."

Bill DeVaughn is vice president of Rolling Thunder S.C. Chapter 3, part of a national volunteer organization that reminds everyone about accounting for all U.S. prisoners of war and service personnel who went missing in action.

He said he was grateful to find a final resting place for the Korean War memorial stone since its introduction June 28 in a local tribute.

"The Korean War veterans — they’ve never been thanked," said DeVaughn, a Navy Seabee from the Vietnam War.

Charles Stuby, the Rolling Thunder chapter historian said, ‘We’re doing something for Korean veterans that is long overdue."