OLYMPIA – Washington residents are invited to pay tribute to veterans of the Korean War on Saturday, July 28, as veterans groups gather in Olympia to remember the 59th anniversary of the armistice signing that ended the Korean War.

A special wreathlaying ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the East Capitol Campus, as well as the unveiling of the name of Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard L. Harris of Spokane. Harris was serving with the 2nd Infantry Division in North Korea and was captured during the Battle of the Chongchon in November 1950. During Operation Big Switch in 1953, captured American soldiers were returned and fellow servicemen reported that Harris had died of malnutrition on Jan 22, 1951 while in captivity. In 2005, remains found in a mass burial site in North Korea were identified as Sgt. Harris. Harris was buried at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent April 10 of this year.

The Korean War lasted three years, from June 25, 1950, until a cease-fire was signed on July 27, 1953. 535 Washington residents lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during this conflict.

All organizations and individuals are welcome to bring flowers and/or wreaths to place during the ceremony. This event marks the 19th anniversary of the dedication of the Washington State Korean War Veterans Memorial.

For information and directions to the memorial, visit http://www.ga.wa.gov/Visitor/korean/koreanwar.htm or call 1-800-562-0132 option 1.