Murkowski Introduces Bill to Honor Recent Veterans of Second Division
Authorizes Small, but Necessary Modification to Current Memorial
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, this week introduced S. 3315, the “Second Division Memorial Modification Act”. The legislation would authorize the modification of the existing Second Division Memorial in Washington, D.C., by allowing the Second Indianhead Division Association Scholarship and Memorials Foundation (Foundation) to add three small benches honoring those who have fallen in service of our country at the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), in Iraq, and in Afghanistan.
“Found in the southwest corner of President’s Park on the Ellipse, this memorial currently honors the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving in the Second Infantry Division of the United States Army during World War I, World War II and the Korean War,” Murkowski said. “Because current law prohibits the modification of memorials, I am committed to making this change through new legislation, so that all who have made the sacrifice on behalf of the Second Division, and our country, can be properly honored.”
The Second Division Memorial was originally dedicated in 1936, with additions made in 1962 to honor the men who were lost in World War II and the Korean War. Now, the Foundation, along with other veterans organizations, including the VFW, is working to modify this memorial to honor those who have fallen in service on the DMZ, in Iraq, and in Afghanistan. S. 3315 does not allow for the use of federal dollars to modify or augment the memorial.
The Second Infantry Division is currently headquartered out of Camp Humphreys, South Korea and also has a base in Fort Lewis, Washington. When under reorganization, the Second Division was temporarily based at Fort Richardson, Alaska from August 1956 through November 1957. Next year will mark the Division’s 100th year of active service to our nation.
Murkowski’s legislation is a companion bill to H.R. 5684, which was introduced by Reps. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Denny Heck (D-Wash.) in the House of Representatives.
