Thursday, July 03, 2008
Virgie Bridge Dedicated To Korean War Veteran
Virgie – The Pike County Fiscal Court in conjunction with the Kentucky Department of Highways District 12 dedicated a bridge located in Virgie, on Highway 610, adjacent to the Pike County District 2 Magistrate’s Office, to former Virgie resident Lin Milam on Wednesday, July 2.
Pike County Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford, Pike County District 2 Magistrate Vernon “Chick” Johnson, state Senator Ray Jones, District 12 Information Officer Sara George, Pike County Attorney Keith Hall, and the friends and family of Lin Milam all participated in the ceremony.
“Almost 6 million Americans served in the Korean War, and 50,000 of them, like Lin, died fighting. We should never forget a single one of those soldiers who gave their lives, especially our own. Those from our communities,” said Rutherford, at the ceremony.
“This means so much to our family,” said Milam’s brother, Ray Milam.
Milam was born in Virgie, September 7, 1931.
As a boy, he loved to hunt and fish, and the older he got, the better athlete he became. Lin was especially good at aiming a ball, which made him a standout baseball and basketball player at Virgie High School. Aside from being a great athlete, he was friendly, outgoing, and was always wearing a smile.
In February of Lin’s senior year, he joined the army. The skill that made him a good ballplayer in high school made him an expert marksman in the service. However, it was this skill, combined with Lin’s helpful personality, that ultimately led him to die fighting for his country.
As a BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) gunner, Lin served on the front lines during the Korean War and was a top-priority target for the enemy. One day, as Lin left the front lines for rest and relaxation time, he passed the sergeant who had trained him. The sergeant urged him to go back to the front lines and serve as his gunner. Lin acquiesced, and was killed shortly thereafter. Lin died in September, thirteen days after his 19th birthday.
By those who knew him, Lin will be remembered for his warmth, his smile, and for all he accomplished during his short lifetime. For those who did not know him, the bridge in Virgie that bears his name will serve to testify that, though he died young, he lived to be a great man.
Pike County Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford, Pike County District 2 Magistrate Vernon “Chick” Johnson, state Senator Ray Jones, District 12 Information Officer Sara George, Pike County Attorney Keith Hall, and the friends and family of Lin Milam all participated in the ceremony.
“Almost 6 million Americans served in the Korean War, and 50,000 of them, like Lin, died fighting. We should never forget a single one of those soldiers who gave their lives, especially our own. Those from our communities,” said Rutherford, at the ceremony.
“This means so much to our family,” said Milam’s brother, Ray Milam.
Milam was born in Virgie, September 7, 1931.
As a boy, he loved to hunt and fish, and the older he got, the better athlete he became. Lin was especially good at aiming a ball, which made him a standout baseball and basketball player at Virgie High School. Aside from being a great athlete, he was friendly, outgoing, and was always wearing a smile.
In February of Lin’s senior year, he joined the army. The skill that made him a good ballplayer in high school made him an expert marksman in the service. However, it was this skill, combined with Lin’s helpful personality, that ultimately led him to die fighting for his country.
As a BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) gunner, Lin served on the front lines during the Korean War and was a top-priority target for the enemy. One day, as Lin left the front lines for rest and relaxation time, he passed the sergeant who had trained him. The sergeant urged him to go back to the front lines and serve as his gunner. Lin acquiesced, and was killed shortly thereafter. Lin died in September, thirteen days after his 19th birthday.
By those who knew him, Lin will be remembered for his warmth, his smile, and for all he accomplished during his short lifetime. For those who did not know him, the bridge in Virgie that bears his name will serve to testify that, though he died young, he lived to be a great man.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 1:19 PM 
