Bristol, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

A Tribute to Sgt. Carl Lee Powers, A Korean War Veteran

"A Story of God's Marvelous Grace"

A Tribute to Sgt. Carl Lee Powers Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

1. A Tribute to Sgt. Carl Lee Powers Marker

Inscription. During the Korean War of 1950-1953, a young Korean became a houseboy for a group of American G.I's of the U.S. Army's 24th Division. One soldier, Sgt. Carl Powers, a school teacher from Dante, Virginia, felt compassion for the little fella and brought him to America. Sgt. Powers cared for and mentored this Korean through high school, college, and seminary. Upon completion of his education, the young man, along with his bride from Michigan, returned to Seoul, Korea, and became a pastor of a small Baptist Church, which grew into one of the largest in Korea. The former houseboy, Dr. Billy Jang Hwan Kim, has become a world renowned evangelist and humanitarian because of his friendship with another Korean War veteran, Bristol businessman Dr. Bobby Griffin. Dr. Kim has visited Bristol many times, frequently bringing the Korean Children's Choir to perform here. Carl Powers often visited his brother in Bristol and was present here with Dr. Kim on many occasions.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord: Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures • War, Korean. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 36° 35.794′ N, 82° 11.003′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Virginia. It can be reached from the intersection of Cumberland Street (Virginia Route 113) and Waters Alley, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bristol VA 24201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Tri-Cities Area,

in Southwest Virginia,

and in the Blue Ridge Highlands.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

Wide view A Tribute to Sgt. Carl Lee Powers Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024

2. Wide view A Tribute to Sgt. Carl Lee Powers Marker

Background is parking lot for The Cumberland

marker: WCYB's "Farm and Fun Time" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Overmountain Patriots of the American Revolution (about 400 feet away); You Are Not Forgotten (about 400 feet away); Bristol Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away); Solar Hill (about 500 feet away); Lee Street Baptist Church (about 500 feet away); Dr. Charles Spurgeon Johnson (1893-1956) (about 600 feet away); Emmanuel Episcopal Church (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 649 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.