Photo submitted by Emily Hannon Veteran R. Gene Robillard (93) and Silas Hecei (9) clean up the Korean War Memorial to honor Robillard's friend.

Warren resident and veteran R. “Gene” Robillard married his sweetheart, Jaqueline “Jackie,” in August 1950.

The following month, he deployed with the Army Reserves from the Warren Armory. He was also stationed at Ft Bragg and Camp Atterbury. While Robillard returned home, he lost his friend Marshall, who was also deployed to the Korean War and did not come home.

The Korean War Memorial at General Joseph Warren Park was dirty, the shrub next to it was overgrown, and the memorial looked forgotten. Robillard was discouraged by its condition.

Robillard, along with his friend Emily Hannon and her son Silas, took the initiative to clean up the memorial. Their aim was to honor Marshall and all others who served in the Korean War.

Hannon stated that the small crew was putting the Vietnam and Gulf War Memorials on their list to clean up next, as they were in the same condition as the Korean War Memorial.