Mar/Apr 2013 - Korean War Veterans Association

The End of a War and the Beginning of a F
By Rego Barnett
The South Korean government
donated a memorial in Hawaii as
part of ongoing series of events to
commemorate the signing of the peace
treaty on July 27, 2013. As Jimmy Shin,
President of CID 144, Aloha Chapter
[HI], noted, “During the Korean War a
lot of U.S. Soldiers were killed. At
Punchbowl, we have all kinds of different
war monuments up by the lookout,
but we don’t have many Korean War
stones.” As a result, he encouraged the
South Korean government to place a
Korean War memorial there.
Shin, who served as a staff sergeant in
the South Korean Marine Corps, was
rewarded for his efforts when the South
Korean government agreed to his
request. So, on February 15, 2013,
Korean War veterans, South Korean government
officials, and various dignitaries,
including Eric K. Shinseki, the
USA’s Secretary of Veterans Affairs,
gathered at Punchbowl to dedicate a
commemorative stone flown to Hawaii
from South Korea.
South Korean Minister of Patriots and
Veterans Affairs Sung-choon Park and
Korean Consul General Young-kil Suh
represented the South Korean government.
In his remarks Minister Sungchoon
Park observed:
“I am truly pleased to present this
Commemorative Stone on behalf of the
Korean government in this meaningful
year marking the 60th anniversary of the
Armistice of the Korean War as well as
the US Forces Participation in the War.
ADM Samuel J. Locklear, Erik K. Shineski, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie, Minister Sung-choon
Park, Counsel General Young-kil Suh (L-R) at Punchbowl dedication
“To those who fought for the freedom
and peace of Korea and were laid here at
the Punchbowl, and to the unknown
8,195 warriors who are still missing in
action, I extend my deepest respect for
your invaluable sacrifice and dedication.
“Today, taking this opportunity, I’d
like to look back on the Korean War
[that] broke out 62 years ago, and remind
[us] of the War’s lessons and meaning.
“When the ROK was in an extremely
precarious situation with North Korea’s
unexpected invasion, the UN forces,
including American soldiers, came to
Korea and shed blood to defend the freedom
and democracy of Korea. The US,
in particular, sent military personnel and
provisions that accounted for as much as
90% of the whole support from the UN
allied nations.
“The US veterans played a decisive
role in victory by showing their valor in
major battles, such as the Battle of Pusan
Perimeter, lncheon Landing Operation,
and Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Thanks
to the sacrifice and dedication of the US
veterans, Korea could safeguard itself
from the crisis of the Korean War.
“Last July 27th in Washington, I met
Secretary Shinseki at the event to commemorate
the U.S. Forces Participation
in the Korean War. That night, I invited
600 veterans to a dinner prepared as an
expression of our gratitude.
“There, I said this.
“It is the United States of America
76
Consul General Young-Kil Suh speaks at
Punchbowl ceremony
Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, Pacific Area
Commander, delivers memorial remarks
Minister Sung-choon Park speaks at Punchbowl dedication
March - April 2013
The Graybeards