Created and Photos by catch4all.com,
Sandra Englund

Music by: William Staffe, Battle Hymn of Republic  by US Army Band and Chorus. HERO for TODAY

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Executive Director, Peter Ansara:   Over 60 year ago, in the village of Panmunjom, military generals picked up their pens and signed their names to the agreement spread before them.  That night, as the armistice took hold, the guns ceased to fire.  Along the front lines, men emerged from their muddy trenches.  A Marine raised his bugle and played taps.  And a soldier spoke for millions when he said, “Thank God it is over.”

In the days that followed, both sides pulled back, leaving a demilitarized zone between them.  Soldiers emptied sandbags and broke down their equipment.  Our POWs were released.  Our troops boarded ships and steamed back across the ocean.  And describing the moment he passed under the Golden Gate Bridge, one of those soldiers wrote, “We suddenly knew we had survived the war, and we were home.”

Yet ask these veterans here today and many will tell you, homecoming was different than other wars.  Unlike the Second World War, Korea did not galvanize our country.  These veterans did not return to parades.  Unlike Vietnam, Korea did not tear at our country.  These veterans did not return to protests.  Among many Americans, tired of war, there was, it seemed, a desire to forget, to move on.  As one of these veterans recalls, “We just came home and took off our uniforms and went to work.  That was about it.”  

Korea taught us that, as a people, we are one.  On President Truman’s orders, our troops served together in integrated units.  And the heroism of African Americans in Korea -- and Latinos and Asian Americans and Native Americans -- advanced the idea:  If these Americans could live and work together over there, surely we could do the same thing here at home.  

Veterans of the Korean War -- in your early life you learned how precious life is.  And because of you, millions of people can keep on living it, in freedom and in peace.  You are an inspiration to the world.  You and your service will never be forgotten.  We as a society thank you.  Your deeds and service will live forever.

Consul General Moon Duk Ho:  He appreciated to the Veterans for their sacrifice and save country for South Korea and with all the appreciation of their wonderful service during Korean War, South Korea Government would like to present small token of appreciation Ambassador for Peace Medals all of Korean War Veterans in VA hospital.  

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Consul General expressed that all of South Korean people even young and older people surely appreciate their sacrifice and stood for freedom with selfless actions for South Korea which was more than 65 years ago. in Korean peninsula.  Korea will never forget Korean War Veterans passionate care and stood for our freedom.

Consul General Moon described that someone may have described Korean War was forgotten war, but it cannot never be true but this is forgotten victory. Which Koreans would like to express gratitude for Veterans and their families, especially for the Americans.  This event was organized by (KWA) Korean Women’s Association which we are very proud of their organization for making this event possible.

Pacific North West have over 100,000 Korean people in Washington State which those numbers telling us that the veterans  gave the opportunity to many people who are immigrant this country from South Korea.  Consul General emphasized that his mission is always stand by you  and working together with Veterans who fought for the freedom for South Korea. And he sincerely appreciated again to all the Korean War Veterans and his families.

Gary K. Bayne, Associate Director of Nursing Service:   Welcomed South Korean General Consul Moon Duk Ho. Appreciated for the honor of his presence and presentation to this beautiful facility here in Lakewood Washington.

Also welcomed Korean Women’s Association which he is deeply honored that KWA selected our facility for this special event.  He is so glad to see that several of our residents are being honored to receiving Ambassador for Peace Medal for the Veterans you serve from every era to honor our nations hero. to those who served selflessly.

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He described that the VA Puget Sound American Lake facility, originally known as “the VA American Lake Hospital” was built in the 1920’s and is a registered historic landmark which has been serving Veterans here ever since and providing care to Korean War Veterans since their return.

The facility being a particularly wonderful place for the Veterans to receive care and recover from their injuries.

He recalled that he spent in South Korea during 1977 and 1978 which 5 miles away from DMG and was a great. He appreciated to the family of veterans and veterans for being here and for this beautiful VA Puget Sound.

catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, June 19th, 2015, Rev. June 26, 2015

Rev. June 27, 2015