Veteran groups are expected to descend on the Washington state capital in Olympia on July 28 for the 59th anniversary of ceascfire that  halted the Korean War on July 27, 1953.

The day’s events mark the 19th anniversary of the dedication of the Washington State Korean War Veterans Memorial to the 535 Washington residents that lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces during the conflict.  A special wreathlaying ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the East Capitol Campus, as well as the unveiling of the name of Army Sgt. 1^st Class Richard L. Harris of Spokane.

Harris was serving with the 2^nd Infantry Division in North Korea and was captured during the Battle of the Chongchon in November 1950. During Operation Big Switch in 1953, captured American soldiers were returned and fellow servicemen reported that Harris had died of malnutrition on Jan 22, 1951 while in captivity. In 2005, remains found in a mass burial site in North Korea were identified as Sgt. Harris.

Harris was buried at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent on April 10.