Located on the waterfront of Hyannis, Massachusetts, the Cape and Islands Korean War Memorial honors the many residents of the surrounding community who fought in the Korean War. The memorial showcases what it can mean for a landmark to connect single individuals and entire regions on multiple levels.
Honoring Cape Cod Veterans
Created to honor the estimated 5,000 Korean War veterans that resided in Cape Cod in the early 2000s, what is offically known as the Cape and Islands Korean War Memorial and Nassau County Korean War Memorial depicts a heroic-sized soldier charging uphill. The sculpture by Robert Shure is based on a photograph taken by Don Duquette, a combat photographer who documented the war. Duquette is originally from the Hyannis area, further connecting his picture that has appeared in several books about the Korean War to the region.
The monument resides in the Hyannis Veterans Park just south of the John F. Kennedy Memorial. Ever since it was installed, various other landmarks like the Republic of South Korea Stone and Veterans Memorial have been placed right next to it, further connecting the space to the community.
Paid for by the Korean War Veterans Association of the Cape and Islands, the Cape and Islands Korean War Memorial was dedicated on the 50th anniversary of the start of the Korean War. This connection to the legacy of the conflict ensures that audiences across all eras will be able to engage with the community that the piece represents.
An Ever-lasting Legacy
Mentioned as the busiest memorial on Cape Cod year-round, the Cape and Islands Korean War Memorial is connected to a legacy of duty and sacrifice that permeate the surrounding memorials and community. This connection highlights what it can mean for a landmark to represent communities of the present and for the future.
