By By Fredie Carmichael / staff writer
May 18, 2004
Meridian could become the last governmental body along U.S. 80's route across Mississippi to endorse a move that would designate the road as Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.
City councilmen are expected today to unanimously approve the designation at their 5:30 p.m. regular meeting.
William Clark of Pearl, a Korean War veteran originally from Neshoba County, began pushing the project this year. To date, he said, Meridian is the only government body along U.S. 80 that hasn't backed it.
Clark said he originally sought support from the city administration in April, but didn't receive it. Meanwhile, the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution April 5 to back the project.
First attempt
Clark originally talked with Ken Storms, the city's chief administrative officer, about the highway designation. Storms, a Vietnam veteran, said at a recent news conference that he prefers to recognize all veterans rather than war-specific ones. He also said he wanted to consult local Korean War veterans about it.
Clark said he later talked to Mayor John Robert Smith. Clark said the mayor told him the issue was on the council's study agenda.
To speed up the issue, though, Clark asked a local Korean War veteran to write a letter to the city council.
All five councilmen said they plan to support the highway designation. Ward 1 Councilman George Thomas said this is the first time the council has had a chance to look at the issue.
Councilman's support
Ward 4 Councilman Jesse E. Palmer Sr. said the designation will be especially personal for him. Palmer said his brother-in-law is a Korean War veteran who recently returned to the U.S.
Palmer said his brother-in-law stayed in Korea after the war to work at a U.S. Air Force base and has been there since.
Another Korean War veteran, Leroy Morse of Lauderdale County, said he supports designating U.S. 80 in honor of Korean veterans. Morse is a retired U.S. Marine sergeant.