The Korean American Association of Greater Cleveland gathered at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center to honor veterans of the Korean War. They were joined by the Federation of Midwest Korean-American Associations, the National Unification Advisory Council, the Republic of Korea in Chicago as well as the City of Cleveland Ohio.

Korean-American Friendship Network banner

The theme of the event was A Grateful Nation.

To our Korean War Veterans. In recognition of honorable service during the Korean War in defense of Democracy and Freedom. Through your selfless sacrifice, the tide of communism on the Korean Peninsula was halted and liberty triumphed over tyranny. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the people of America and Korea are forever grateful.

The Korean War - A Brief History

The Korean War was a war between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in which the United States led a United Nation's force fighting for the South and China, assisted by USSR, fought for the North. It arose from the division of the Korean Peninsula after WWII and the global tensions of the Cold War that developed immediately after.

Twenty-one members of the United Nations backed the South, with the United States providing some 88 percent of the troops. The war also saw the first combat between jet aircraft - such as the F86 used by the United Nations and the MG-15 used by the Chinese - in warfare. By the time it stopped about 2 million Korean civilians, 1.5 communist forces, 400,000 South Korean troops, 1,000 U.K. troops and 36,000 American troops had lost their lives.

After a contentious back and forth diplomatic fight that had been ongoing for several years, combat began in earnest in June, 1950. The Korean War officially lasted from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953.

Calvin M. Curry Sr, introduced a Color Guard from Horizon Science Academy who presented the Colors then led the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the US National Anthem.

Color Guard from Horizon Science Academy

Chaplain George Hankins gave the invocation and it was translated from English to Korean.

The Korean National Anthem was sung.

John F. Merkle, Deputy Director of the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, told of the sacrifice that veterans gave in the Korean War.

John F. Merkle

Pastor Grady Stevenson from Cleveland City Hall brought well wishes from Mayor Frank Jackson and Director Blaine Griffin.

Pastor Grady Stevenson

Mr. Sang-Il Kim, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, said that Korea has transformed itself from an aid-receiving country to an aid-giving country and will never forget the sacrifices and help of the United States.

Mr. Sang-Il Kim

Mrs. Ann S. Jhin, President of the National Unification Advisory Council, spoke next.

Mrs. Ann S. Jhin

After the speeches, the veterans were presented with the Ambassador for Peace Medal, a certificate and a new winter coat.

Ambassador for Peace Medal

Table of Medals

Certificate

Winter Coats

Veteran John Howard receiving his Medal

Enjoy these other photos from this recognition celebration from a grateful Nation.

Ann S. Jhin, Consul Sang-Il Kim and Jun-Hyeong Lee

Kiho Kwon, who worked in the lab at the VA for 33 years

Sam Kim and Hanna Woo - Korean-American Association

Buffalo Soldier Sgt. Clinkscales

Susan Cho Harris and Bobby Chung

Captain Price Smith and 1st Seargeant David Tackacs

Rev. Jae Rhee, Susan Cho Harris and Misun Pak

Sam Kim, GilYoung Kim and Diana Browning

Paul and Halcyone Glenn

Chaplain George Hankins, Vanessa Holmes,
Sam Kim, Calvin Curry and GilYoung Kim

Hanna Woo

Diana Browning accepts medal for her late father

Awarding Korean War Veterans

Korean War Veterans

Cakes for Korean War veterans

Thank you veterans