Chenyeo statue, Chuncheon, South Korea -- Eighth Army Soldiers attended the Forney Bridge monument relocation ceremony hosted by 2nd Engineer Brigade at the Soyang river Chenyeo statue, Chuncheon, South Korea, Oct. 16.
United States Forces Korea (USFK) Engineer Col. Daniel S. Larsen and Eighth Army Engineer Col. Ivan P. Beckman attended the event to support and to commemorate Col. Frank Forney.
The Forney Bridge monument was originally built to commemorate the Col. Frank Forney who was killed in action while attached to the IX Corps fighting along the Ch'ongchon River in northwest North Korea on Nov. 29, 1950.
Forney built the bridge with 62nd Engineer Construction Battalion over a tributary of the Pukhan River. The bridge was completed in only 26 days, despite weather and logistical difficulties, and this bridge took an important role during the Korean War. However, Forney Bridge Monument has received little attention from public because of the location.
Major Sung Jae-choong from 2nd Engineer Brigade said, "The monument is currently located in northern of Soyang 2-gyo, and residential wastes are gathered in the vicinity of the monument since the market is well-developed around that area, undermining the values that the memorial facilities should possess."
Since the Forney Bridge was re-constructed twice and re-named to Soyang 2-gyo, the bridge has contributed to the economic development of Chuncheon immensely. Therefore, Chuncheon city and 2nd Engineering Brigade pushed ahead with the relocation of Forney Bridge monument.
The effort involved into relocating the Forney Bridge monument shows that Eighth Army is enhancing interoperability to cement our relationship with community and the Republic of Korea
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