MONROE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) honored those who fought in the Korean War today by dedicating U.S. 80 as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.  

Senate Resolution No. 12 was passed in 2005, allowing DOTD to rename U.S. 80 throughout the state of Louisiana as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway. Sens. Robert Barham and Gerald Theunissen authored the bill in order to recognize those who defended the freedom of the people of South Korea.

“I am honored to be here today as we acknowledge the brave soldiers, sailors and airmen who served in the Korean War,” said DOTD Secretary Johnny B. Bradberry. “I believe the dedication of U.S. 80 as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway is a fitting tribute to those involved in the conflict.”

William Clark, a veteran of the Korean War and resident of Pearl, Miss., started the mission to have U.S. 80 renamed from coast to coast. Louisiana is the fourth state to dedicate the highway, after Alabama, Mississippi and New Mexico. Clark has been working with the transportation departments of California, Arizona, Texas and Georgia, so U.S. 80 can be known as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway across the entire nation.

Speakers at the dedication ceremony included Bradberry; Sen. Barham, District 33; Mayor James Mayo, City of Monroe; President Sue Edmunds, Monroe Chamber of Commerce; and Col. Louis T. Dechert, president of the Korean War Veterans Association.

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