Southern Utah memorial salutes veterans of the Korean War

CEDAR CITY — EvaDean Reeves Francisco was about 22 years old in 1952 when she got the news that her happy-go-lucky brother Thiel would not be coming home from the war in Korea.

"Mom never did believe he was really gone. She would say, 'I wonder where my boy is? Only God and his angels can take care of him now,"' said Francisco. "I saw my mother go from a beautiful brunette to having all gray hair in just two weeks."

USAF 1st Lt. Thiel M. Reeves, then nearly 25, flew jet fighters during the Korean conflict. It was the perfect job for an adventurous boy who grew up spending his hard-earned cash on model airplanes only to set them on fire and throw them off the roof of his house to watch them crash and burn.

"We always used to tease him over that," said Francisco. "He loved adventure. The higher he went, the better."

On Jan. 11, 1952, Reeves was flying a mission over North Korea when his own jet was hit by enemy fire. He remains the only soldier from Cedar City listed as missing in action, joining more than 8,000 other Americans still listed as MIA's from the Korean War.

Francisco recalls her big brother as a fun boy who loved to test his own limits.

"Thiel was a very fun loving kid. He used to come home from school and ride his bike out to the airport," she said. "Thiel got his pilot's license before he got his driver's license. I always said if he'd of come home, he would have been the first astronaut on the moon."

Francisco, who lives now in Tropic, was in Cedar City on Saturday with another brother, W. Golden Reeves, and three daughters for the dedication of the new Korean War Memorial at the Rotary Centennial Veterans Park.

Several hundred people attended the event including more than two dozen Korean War veterans, South Korean Deputy Consul General Sung W. Shin, retired military brass from every service, and many Korean nationals. A contingency of Patriot Guard Riders escorted veterans to the park for the dedication ceremony.

Central to the Korean War Memorial is a 7-foot-tall bronze soldier sculpted by Jerime Hooley, who said the statue represents the "humble gratitude and respect" the American people hold for the nation's veterans.

In a patriotic, two hour long program preceding the dedication ceremony at the park, the Korean War veterans in attendance were recognized with applause and words of thanks.

"It is my great honor and privilege to be here in peaceful Cedar City," said Shin, who added he was glad the memorial would be located in "such a beautiful city."