By Patrick Adrian
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CLAREMONT — A little known memorial honoring a fallen Claremont soldier received a boost of recognition on Wednesday, along with a community-driven restoration to preserve its memory for future generations.
More than 40 people gathered in McKenzie Circle, located in a residential neighborhood off Maple Avenue, to rededicate a memorial to Ronald W. McKenzie, a Claremont native who lost his life in the Korean War 70 years ago on Aug. 12, 1950. City officials, local veterans and McKenzie family members attended to commemorate the anniversary of McKenzie’s death and celebrate the restoration of his memorial, which included reconstruction, landscaping and the donation of a new flagpole from the American Legion Post 29 in Claremont.
McKenzie, born on July 12, 1929, was the second oldest of six siblings. At the age of 18 McKenzie left Stevens High to join the Army and on his 21st birthday, July 12, 1950 he married Anne Check of Trenton, New Jersey. Shortly after his wedding trip, which included a visit with his family in Claremont, he was deployed to Korea for assignment with the infantry division. McKenzie was killed in action near Yongsan, South Korea on Aug. 12, 1950, precisely one month after his wedding day and birthday. His parents were not notified of his death until Aug. 30, 1950.
McKenzie was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his valor and leadership in staying behind at the battleground to allow his fellow soldiers to withdraw.
Mayor Charlene Lovett, who organized the ceremony, said her personal connections, as a military veteran and a distant relative of McKenzie’s biological family, drew her to the restoration initiative.
“With the passage of time, those who knew him would dwindle in number and our connection to him would fade,” Lovett told the public. “The discovery of this memorial and the journey that followed has given us an opportunity to rediscover his life, his sacrifice and and restore his memory in the hearts and minds of this community.”
The memorial first came to the attention of the Claremont Department of Public Works, who were looking to reconstruct the roundabout, where the memorial was located, to limit traffic to one-direction and reduce the speed of vehicles in the neighborhood.
Public Works Asst. Director Jeremy Clay, also a military veteran, arranged with the USAG Yongsan Army Base to fly an American flag on a mission over the grounds. The flag from the mission, along with the certification of its mission, was given to McKenzie’s sister Grace Adams, from South Royalton, Vermont.
“It was a sad time for our family and a shock when we received the news [of McKenzie’s death],” Adams said after the ceremony. “But it’s nice that this city will honor him in this way.”
Gov. Chris Sununu, who could not attend the ceremony in person, sent a letter to the community, which was read aloud by Assistant Mayor Allen Damren.
“The efforts to preserve this memorial were a community effort, put together to remember the life and legacy of [Private First Class] Ronald McKenzie,” the governor’s letter stated. “Decades later his bravery and leadership are remembered and his story remains an important part of Claremont history.
The ceremony organizers also thanked Claremont Historical Society President Wayne McElreavy for his research and Stevens High School Senior Alexandra Perez who sang the National Anthem at the event.
Several family members were in attendance, including Adams; McKenzie’s younger brother Jack, who still lives in Claremont; and McKenzie’s niece Nancy Karon, who lives in Sharon, Vermont.
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