On November 10, in anticipation of the December 1 commencement of work on the Memorial site, KWMF paid the Presidio Trust the remaining balance due for construction costs: $1,602,660. In a brief ceremony at the Presidio Trust headquarters, KWMF President and Chairman Judge Quentin L. Kopp (Ret.) presented Presidio Trust Acting Executive Director Michael Boland with the check. KWMF Secretary John R. Stevens and Treasurer Donald F. Reid also participated in the ceremony.
From L to R: John Stevens, Michael Boland, Judge Quentin Kopp, and Donald Reid
Photo by Dominic Maggio, Presidio Trust
Judge Kopp stated, “I am confident that the application of this contribution will be scrupulously executed by the Presidio Trust, in which we repose our full faith.” Michael Boland said, “We are thrilled and honored to be partnering with the Korean War Memorial Foundation to build the Memorial in the Presidio. I can think of no better place than this stunning national park site to recognize the sacrifice of those who fought and died in the Korean War.”
KWMF will also be paying the Presidio Trust over $400,000 this coming spring for long-term maintenance of the Memorial site. The Presidio Trust for its part is contributing over $700,000 in staff time and other items, and has of course also provided the stunning site upon which the Memorial will stand – a site that is arguably priceless.