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MINT HILL, N.C. — Hundreds of people were in Mint Hill Saturday night to help honor the veterans who fought and died in the Korean War.

The veterans are trying to raise $510,000 to build a memorial and are halfway toward their goal. Retired Col. Bill Reid, U.S. Air Force said it was a sold out event at the Masonic Lodge on Lawyers Rd.

For the price of admission, people received a full chicken dinner along with dessert. There was also nearly a dozen live performers and a silent auction. Organizers were hoping to raise $4,000 at the event.

"Right now we've raised about a quarter of a million dollars," Col. Reid said.  "We have about $125,000 in pro bono labor and materials, which would bring it up to about $375,000."
 
Aside from simple donations, pavers are still being sold to help fund the construction.  Anyone can buy a paver in honor of any veteran.
 
"Any war, any person from any state," said Col. Reid.  "We just felt like the center of the memorial, obviously, would be dedicated to the Korean War veterans, and specifically those who were killed or MIA from North Carolina. But we felt like all veterans need to be recognized."
 
Col. Reid said there is currently no memorial in the state to specifically honor the nearly 800 North Carolinians who were killed or missing in action during the war. The memorial should be completed by mid-2012 and Reid said project leaders hope to dedicate the memorial on June 25, 2012 which is the anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War.

Anyone interested in making a donation or buying a paver can visit the project No