The New Jersey Korean War Memorial, which is located adjacent to Brighton Park (next to Bally's Hotel Casino) just off the boardwalk in Atlantic City, will have its torch replaced on Thursday morning, May 26 at 10:30 am.  The torch was removed several weeks ago for refurbishing and treatment to prevent future erosion of its patina.

      According to Colonel (Ret) Stephen Abel, Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, “The torch and other elements of New Jersey's Korean War Memorial suffered significant erosion due to high moisture and salt exposure at the ocean shore location.  The flame, which adorns the top of the archway at the western entrance to the memorial, originally, a very bright, highly visible, highly reflective gold patina, was the most obviously affected component.”

      After significant and painstaking restoration work by Moorland Studios of Stockton, which specializes in bronze and patina restoration, the 1,200 pound torch will be re-installed with an added level of weather resistant protection.

      “We would never neglect our veterans…it therefore stands to reason that we should never neglect those monuments and memorials that honor the faithful service and many sacrifices made by our veterans,” said Abel.  The bas-relief depicting images of the four New Jersey Korean War Medal of Honor recipients and one of the two dedication plaques were also restored as part of the overall memorial renovation project.  Extra effort was made to complete the restorations before the official 2005 Memorial Day observances.

      Iaconelli Contractors will utilize a 40-ton crane to replace to torch. Courtney Rynne of Engineered Rain Services, the contractor responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the memorial will supervise the process together with Dave Moorland and Constance Bassett (of Moorland Studios) who completed the flame's restoration.