This Week in the Corridor
The forgotten war and the value of history
Today is an anniversary that history ignores.

Seventy years ago, the North Korean army under Kim Il-Sung crossed the 38 th Parallel and began a surge south that would nearly push South Korea’s defenders off the peninsula. Those defenders included more than 20 countries fighting under the United Nations Command, led by the United States, which would supply more than 90 percent of UN troops.

The Korean War is a middle child, living between the war we all believe in, World War II, and the one that ripped out and reordered the pages of our national narrative, Vietnam. Few school children, and too few adults, realize that the war is ongoing; while there was an armistice agreement, there has never been a negotiated peace. North and South Korea face off across the Demilitarized Zone as enemies to this day.

South Koreans refer to the invasion by its date, 6-2-5, pronounced yook-ee-oh, just as in this country we speak of 9-11. I was in in South Korea on the 50 th anniversary, an unimportant and virtually anonymous soldier burning days in the 2 nd Infantry Division. Yet I and every other American GI in country received a commemorative medallion and ceramic plate. The gifts were pressed into my hands by two Korean war survivors, a man and a woman, both ancient and tiny. They bowed and said, “Kamsahamnida” (thank you), over and over. They had not forgotten. It is to our collective shame that we have, for the Korean War offers lessons for our time about hubris, race and blind hero worship, but also about courage and resilience.

When I sat down to write, I intended to advance through those lessons in short order. But like the war itself, it seemed my column would never end. I fell back to the coast, regrouped and battled through the mountains, then, running into an unexpected host of new ideas and opinions, settled into a stalemate.

In the end, I hit the delete button and all that writing—about MacArthur and Chosin and Chairman Mao—disappeared from memory. I was left only with a vision of the Korean War Memorial on the National Mall in Washington DC. A squad of 19 stainless steel soldiers moves in a V-formation. They may be advancing; they may be in retreat. All are on alert, scanning for hidden danger. Everyone except a lone soldier near the rear. He has heard a sound behind and is turning to look. His enemy is not imagined; it’s already real.

I wonder if in our current era, when statues fall and legends are dispatched as villains, we might find an unintended lesson in the Korean War Memorial: That looking backward can help guide us on the march ahead.

Mostly I pray that today we all take a few moments to honor the 1.8 million US service members who fought and 36,574 who died in in a war that deserves to be remembered.
Featured Real Estate
Site: 4th Avenue West

Location: 4th Avenue West
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11 acres

Sale Price: $390,000
(in three parcels)

For more information visit the Corridor website!
Around the Corridor
Corridor officials remind everyone of the important role we can all play in economic development

CEO and President Kiley Miller talks about how tips they receive from area residents are vital in assisting the Corridor in the economic development process. Miller wants to hear about business opportunities for the region and encourages anyone with possible economic development leads to contact the Corridor's office in Spencer, 712.264-3474.

Local businesses are asking for your help by taking these short surveys

Main Street Iowa and Spencer Main Street are doing a Pulse Poll to help determine where people are in the reopening and recovery phase of COVID.  Take this quick survey here

The Clay County Fair needs your help by taking this survey to determine what the comfort level is for people thinking about going to the fair this year. Take this short survey here


American Legion Auxiliary responds to COVID-19

The ladies of the American Legion Auxiliary, in Spirit Lake, are working hard to limit the spread of COVID-19 by making face masks. They have made over 10,000 face masks in different sizes for children and adults. These masks have been sent all over the state of Iowa including businesses and the hospital in Spirit Lake.

Investor Spotlight
Each week we want to feature and thank the businesses and individuals that have committed to economic development and growth in our communities. To learn more about these investors and others, visit our  Business Directory !
Farmers Savings Bank
Sector: Financial & Insurance Services
Location: Okoboji
Description: Farmers Savings Bank is committed to being passionate about serving our customers, community and employees with integrity, respect and appreciation. Experience a friendly, locally operated community bank that has been in operation for more than 90 years. Farmers Savings Bank, over the years, has assisted generations of customers in meeting their financial goals.
Farmers Trust and Savings Bank
Sector: Financial & Insurance Services
Location: Spencer
Description: Farmers Bank has been serving the Spencer area – customers and community – since 1916 with a reputation for excellence in personal service.  Much has changed since the bank was founded, in that customers now have the option to do much of their banking electronically. 
Jobs in the Iowa Lakes Corridor
Post your jobs where quality candidates are already looking: lakescorridor.com

See current job openings here.
vacancy_sign_desk.jpg
Job Title
Production Worker

Director of Revenue Cycle
YMCA Child Watch
Executive Director-Foundation
Employer
Redwood Farms Meat Processors
Spencer Hospital
Bedell Family YMCA
Spencer Hospital
Date
6/18/2020

6/19/2020
6/23/2020
6/24/2020 
Questions? Want to be featured in next week's newsletter?
Contact the Iowa Lakes Corridor at info@lakescorridor.com ,
or call us at 712.264.3474.