Sep/Oct 2005 - Korean War Veterans Association

Progress Report—September 2005
KOREAN WAR VETERANS NATIONAL MUSEUM AND LIBRARY
Rantoul, IL
Planned Facility
1. At the Annual Board of Directors meeting on August 27, 2005,
KWVNM&L Executive Director Larry Sassorossi reported on
the time-line, as proposed by the architect, for the construction
of Building 1 (10,000 Square Feet) the first of a three (3) building
complex totaling 50,000 square feet, which was approved
by the KWVNM&L Board of Directors.
a. September 13, ‘05 Mail out Bids for Phase I
b. October 13 Opening of Bids for Phase I, Building. 1
c. October 22 Board of Directors to take action on Bids
d. November 23 Construction to begin on Building 1
e. February 15, ‘06 Award Bids for Phase II, Building 2
f. March 15 Construction to begin for Building 2
g. May 15 Award bids for (final) Phase III, Building 3
h. June 15 Construction to begin on Building 3
i. August 30 Anticipated COMPLETION of Building I
j. Sept./Oct. 2006 Grand Opening ceremonies for Building 1
2. Phase II, Building 2 (20,000 square feet) is devoted to the history
of Korea “before, during and after” the Korean War.
Funding is being sought through and from the Korean
Community. Considerable progress has been made.
Cooperation has been received by visits with four Korean
Consul Generals (Chicago, Houston, Los Angles, and Boston),
support groups in Chicago and Houston, and contact with
Retired Korean War Generals and Admirals (Members of our
Advisory Board) in Korea. Sufficient progress has been made
that anticipated construction may begin on this Phase in 2006.
3. Phase III, Building 3 (20,000 square feet) will display a “War
Machine Gallery,” consisting of armaments used in the Korean
War. Anticipated funding will be sought from major United
States corporations
4. A Resolution to acknowledge the Purpose, Mission, and
Objectives of the KWVNM&L by U.S. Congress is being
sought, and major headway has been made. Contacts and cooperation
to sponsor such a resolution in the House of
Representatives has been made and received from
Congressmen serving on the Veterans Affairs and the Armed
Services Committees, plus others.
5. Assumed control of the KOREAN WAR CHILDREN’S
EXHIBIT that strives to keep alive in the public’s consciousness
the story of how American GIs aided orphaned children
during and following the Korean War; and documents the
efforts of American GI’s in saving the lives of thousands of
Korean orphans.
Thus the progress made by the Museum and Library Board of
Directors this year has been tremendous, and points the way for
a successful Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library
to finally be established with a major national building fund-raising
program now in work, and future plans for construction
placed in action.
Respectfully submitted,
William Mac Swain
KWVA Liaison
“The Korean War Veterans Association, Inc. Board of Directors has approved support for the Korean War Veterans National Museum
and Library and requests that all Korean War Veterans support the fund raising being accomplished for construction of the Facilities
to house the Museum and Library in Rantoul, IL.”
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The Graybeards September - October 2005