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Paul Rodriguez, of Powell, served in the infantry in Korea from 1952 when war still raged, to 1954, after the armistice was signed.
In 2006, he was one of the founders of what was then the …
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Paul Rodriguez, of Powell, served in the infantry in Korea from 1952 when war still raged, to 1954, after the armistice was signed.
In 2006, he was one of the founders of what was then the only Korean War veterans chapter in Wyoming, and then, with fellow veterans from the conflict, spurred the creation of a memorial at Wyoming Veterans Memorial Park in Cody to honor those from the county who served and those who never returned.
Now, Rodriguez and the other remaining members of the local Korean War veterans chapter are doing their part to assist with the creation of a proposed Patriot Community Center in Powell to serve both the veteran and broader community in the region.
On Feb. 24 four of the nine remaining Korean War veterans who helped form the chapter 20 years ago — at one time it had more than 70 members — gave a $5,500 check to American Legion Hughes-Pittinger Post 26.
The check passing ceremony occurred at the Korean War memorial at the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Park in Cody. The monument serves as one of the prime accomplishments of the Korean War group.
“The American Legion felt that it was necessary to come and recognize that there’s very few of them that are left, and we want to honor them as often as we can,” said Post 26 Past Commander and American Legion Department of Wyoming Commander Russell Stafford.
Those present were Rodriguez, Don Kurtz, Jack Martin and Bob Davidson.
The group was founded in 2006, although Rodriguez said he initially tried in 2005 but backed off when told Cheyenne was forming a chapter.
“Then I called the national office,” Rodriguez recalled. “They said, ‘well, Cheyenne never did start a chapter.’ So in 2006 is when we started.”
Work was already well underway to put up a memorial, and in 2008 that was accomplished, in an event that included an Air National Guard flyover while below a crowd gathered for the unveiling. There is also a small version of the monument currently in the Park County Courthouse.
“When we get the new building up, it’ll have a place of honor with our other memorials,” Stafford said. “With their brothers and sisters.”
