Photos by catch4all.com, Sandra Englund

Music by: Disney: If you can dream

The 5th Korean American Day Celebration held in Olympia for commemorating Korean War Veterans who stood up for the freedom and their prosperity Nation at 2:00 PM on January 13, 2012 where the
East Campus Plaza next to the Capitol Way sky bridge located at: 416 Sid Snyder Avenue SW Olympia, WA 98504.

Washington State Secretary of State, Sam Reed made special remarks for the service at 2:00 PM. He Appreciated to the Korean War and war veterans for their dedication and sacrifices for their families and lives. They fought for the freedom and peace. Their dedication of legacy will never fade away....Since the end of the Korean conflict, we have seen a steady growth of immigrants from Korea into our great state, Washington State since 1980, the number of people identifying themselves as Korean Americans in Washington has fast grown and bigger ratios as making Korean Americans one of the largest single ethnic groups in Washington state. Secretary of State, Same Reed extended special thanks to Korean American Day Celebration president, Michael Chung and committee members and congratulated for the 5th Korean American Day celebration.

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Director, John Lee also expressed that we have been made special effort to have memorial services since 1993. The Korean War is sometimes referred to as the “Forgotten War” and Korean War veterans Association joined since 8 years ago in Washington State which gives us a great deal. The Korean War Veterans and war veterans scarified their families and their lives and made freedom possible. We will never forget and their legacy remains with us forever.....and appreciated to all those who stood for our prosperity nation.

Senator Paull Shin and Korean American Day celebration Board Chair, John Oh also gave a few words to the Korean War Veterans at Olympia, WA which they have extended special appreciation and congratulating the 5th Anniversary of the Korean American Day Celebration.

Star spangled banner and Korean National Anthem led by
MC, Sandra Englund in Olympia at 2:00 PM.

On a Same day Commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Korean American Day Celebration on January 13, 2012, at 6:00 PM, special program and dinner was provided which is Healthy bibimbap Dinner and served while the program was proceeding by MC King5 TV Elisa Hahn: Korean Tightrope Walking (special invitation from South Korea) and DVD play for the Korean (Past, Present, future), and Traditional Korean Dress Show by the committee members at the Asian Resource Center: 1025 S King St, Seattle, WA98104: Chinatown Seattle, WA.
Opening remarks was given by MC. King5 TV, Elisa Hahn.

Korean American Day Foundation President, Michael Chung extended sincere appreciation to those of who devoted and dedicated for this Korean American Day Celebration possible.
This special event focused a few major milestones in Korean history by interfacing the real cultural demonstration for 2nd generation Korean-Americans to feel their pride as experience the cultural exchanges.

Korean American Day Celebration Foundation Board Chair, John Oh addressing that the newly signed FTA pact between the United States and Korea has shown more stronger relationships and bonding together and looking forward to celebrate the Korean American Day for many years to come.

Keynote speaker Lt. Governor Brad Owen made a great speech and he addressed that the Korea is the 4th largest export market, on sales of billions dollars, especially the export market were that airplanes, software, architecture, cherries, wines and
potatoes. With promise, Washington State Secretary Sam Reed will lead world trade center in March which is promising a stronger trade, with Republic of Korea and Korean community. The primary goal is to gain first-hand market information and provide access to key government officials and potential business partners in Vietnam and South Korea. The mission aims to increase business, legal, and cultural opportunities for Washington companies and organizations in these growing markets.

NOTE: With the passage of the Free Trade Agreement with South Korea and with rapidly increasing Vietnam-Washington trade, now is the time for your company to expand its trade with those countries. Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed will lead a World Trade Center Tacoma trade mission to those two countries March 18 - 30, 2012. There will be high-level business briefings, opportunities for individualized meetings and also cultural events.

Lt Governor, Brad Owen also addressed that the tribute we pay to both U.S solders and south Korean solders serves bravely together and celebratory events like Korean American Day is one of the most important state event for Washington State and a crossed our nation. He emphasized that the Korean American people have made our state a better place to live. Special quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. whose birthday celebrate on January 16th, 2012, was a great that “we may have all come on different shift but we are on the same boat now” and Lt Governor said that all of us are very happy to see the same boat with all of our Korean friends and family.   It was a great deal of learning, motivational and inspiration to all of us. Speaking of inspiration, here is another inspiration that Lt. Governor have mentioned that he was proud of Representative Cindy Ryu's Video which connects to the people who have dreams for future:  see the video via youtube:

MC King5 TV Elisa Hahn introduced congressman Jay Inslee, Attorney General Rob McKenna, Congressman Jim McDermott, and Congressman Adam Smith.

Congressman Jay Inslee introduced himself saying An Nyong Ha Sim Mi Ka? in Korean (How are you?) He addressed that Korean-Americans have made great educational, economic, and cultural contributions to our state. Korean-Americans should feel proud for all they have achieved.  I commend the community for encouraging the younger generation to work hard, in the footsteps of their parents and grandparents. Congressman Jay Inslee emphasized that there are three “big ideas” that I have been focusing on all year:  job creation and economic development; fighting for the middle class; and making Washington state a better place to live and work in. He also expressed that small businesses in particular make a tremendous contribution to our nation’s prosperity and drive job growth in our communities.  He emphasized that  you all can count on him to continue to work for on these ideas,
while maintaining fiscal discipline and aiding our small businesses.  He is looking forward to continuing his friendship with the Korean American community. 

KORUS FTA is one of the big major work he has done.

Attorney General, Rob McKenna started saying An Nyong Ha Sim Mi Ka? in Korean (How are You?) He shared his story when he was in Korea and he met one of nice gentleman who became a great friend of Attorney General Rob McKenna and his Dad was in Korean War while he is sharing story with hi became a great friend of him who just met during his hiking and both shared Korean war story. Attorney General Rob McKenna's Dad was in Korean War. Attorney General, Rob McKenna learned how to drink So Joo when he was in Korea and learned how pretty Korea is at that time. Attorney General Rob McKenna also mentioned that he has greater concern and care for supporting the new U.S. health care legislation issues and better and higher education support and pronounced clearly Kam Sa Ham Mi Da in Korean Thank you.

Congressman Jim McDermott addressed “There are more than 60,000 Korean Americans in Washington State, and today we celebrate their contributions to American society and culture. He pointed out some of the elected officials of Korean descent, like State Senator Paull Shin and State Representative Cindy Ryu, who were in the this event. Congressman Jim McDermott was proudly stated that Korea is the 4th largest in Asia. He also recognized that there are more than 300,000 South Koreans fought in the Vietnam War which Around 100 of them who are live in Washington State.

Congressman Jim McDermott is in working so that they can compensated for their service while they are still alive. Later this month Congressman Jim McDermott will introduce a resolution in the House of Representatives recognizing their services to this country.

Congressman Adam Smith proudly said that Korea is a strong democratic ally and signing an economic trade agreement with them would not only be beneficial to the American people, but it would also give substantial positive economic impact on Washington state as well. Congressman Adam Smith mentioned that he committed have supported robust investments in education, job training assistance, and help for American manufacturers with that he was one of the person who contributed immensely towards KORUS FTA to pass and it is only the beginning.

Bibimbap dinner was another true cultural experience as taste of Korea for this ceremony. Everyone enjoyed healthy food a bowl of steamy white rice topped by seasoned vegetables of fresh carrots, seasoned bean sprouts, romaine lettuce, diced cucumbers, shitake mushrooms, steamed spinach, and small portion of beef bulgogi, with fried egg by mixing the Gochuchang sauce(hot sauce). Most of the people who were attended this ceremony were all loved bibimbap as while they were watching the special program.

Kim Dohee's solo Special Ari Ari rang accompanied by Chong MinHee. K-pop dance team from Kentridge high school. Sang Myung University from Seoul Korea's special program attracted audiance, directed by the former ROK Consul General, Kwon Chan Ho.

January 13 was declared by the Washington State Legislature to be Korean-American Day by Washington Senate bill 5166, which signed by Governor Chris Gregoire in April 9th, 2007.

NOTE: The song is sung from the point of view of the first eight official Disney Princesses (though only seven of them actually sing, excluding Snow White, who is just featured in the video).

Photos by catch4all.com, Sandra Englund Music by: Disney: If you can dream

Related links:

The first Korean American Day Celebration

The 2nd Korean American Day Celebration

Halleluiah!!!!!!! KORUS FTA:
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
South Korea's parliament ratifies
US trade deal

“For a New Chapter in
KOREA – USA Friendship”

Sources: Youtube, Korean American Day Celebration foundation catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, January 21st, 2012