Louis Ferris’ Korean War Memorial turning into something special

Veterans Freedom Park to be done this summer

It was less than a year ago that a Korean War veteran in La Crosse started fundraising for a memorial for those who didn’t come home from the conflict.  

Louis Ferris’ modest drive for a plaque in Riverside Park has now turned into a concept for a full-blown commemorative area for those who fought and died in every war since the Civil War.  

City park and rec director Steve Carlyon says the idea has grown. But Ferris gets all the credit.

“I think Louis is going to be an inspiration for everyone,” Carlyon said. “They’re all going to come together now and say, ‘Hey, we need to recognize the current conflicts and the past conflicts.'”

As for that memorial, which will be named the Veterans Freedom Park next to the Black River on the north side of La Crosse.

“We’re working the site prep,” Carlyon said. “It’ll be done this summer.”

Ferris said back in February, “I’m going to be a little pushy and aggressive, because we don’t have much time. We’re all 85 years and up. We’re all old.”

Ferris, a lifelong La Crosse resident, who lost some boyhood friends in Korea, originally was hoping to raise around $3,000. What he ended up with was more than five times that amount. 

Carlyon plans on adding other monuments as time passes, but there’s not a lot of time to lose.

“The World War II guys are almost gone,” Carlyon said. “So we’re going to have to get either the sons or daughters of those veterans, and I’ve been working with some of the Vietnam guys I know, trying to get them geared up.” 

Fundraising for the Korean war memorial began late last year and quickly blew through goals for what was originally going to be a simple plaque in Riverside Park.