ID :
190539
Thu, 06/23/2011 - 01:09
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https://oananews.org//node/190539
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Veterans commemorate Korean War anniversary
By Lee Chi-dong
WASHINGTON (Yonhap) - South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday expressed gratitude for the American soldiers who fought for the protection of South Korea during a war six decades ago.
"Our nation will never forget your sacrifice," Lee said in a message read by a senior diplomat at an annual congressionally sponsored ceremony here.
"The great commitment and courageous sacrifice of the American veterans was at the foundation of Republic of Korea's development and prosperity. I express my deep appreciation to all Korean War veterans and their families," Lee said in the message read by Yoon Soon-gu, South Korea's consul general in Washington.
More than 150 war veterans, some in wheelchairs, along with their families and government officials, attended the event at the Rayburn House Office Building.
The ceremony began with the South Korean and the U.S. national anthems, followed by a moment of silence for the victims of North Korea's two deadly attacks on the South last year.
"I must say that the sinking of the Cheonan and the loss of those South Korean sailors is a reminder of how important this relationship has been for the last 60 years between the United States and South Korea," Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) said in his speech. "That relationship, for the veterans here today, was forged during your regional service there in South Korea."
Stressing the South Korea-U.S. alliance is more than a defense relationship, Royce called for the quick ratification of the bilateral free trade agreement.
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) also said the two sides should move the process along quickly, adding that the free trade deal is an agreement for South Koreans and Americans alike.
"We have so much work to do. We have so much to be proud of," he said. "We have a sense of obligation to the United States of America. We have an obligation to our friends in Korea to maintain the friendship, partnership and the security that we need from each other."
Rangel was an artillery operations specialist in a U.S. Army battalion during the Korean War, which began on June 25, 1950, and ended on July 27, 1953, with an armistice.
More than 50,000 U.S. soldiers were killed during the war, with 100,000 others wounded, according to U.S. government data.
Rangel said those who did not come back should not be forgotten.
He promised to step up efforts for the interests of Korean-American people here.
"I am just a symbol of America, a symbol of the military, a symbol of those people that fought, protecting the flag, not knowing where Korea was, not understanding it would become a giant in Asia and throughout the international community," he said.
WASHINGTON (Yonhap) - South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday expressed gratitude for the American soldiers who fought for the protection of South Korea during a war six decades ago.
"Our nation will never forget your sacrifice," Lee said in a message read by a senior diplomat at an annual congressionally sponsored ceremony here.
"The great commitment and courageous sacrifice of the American veterans was at the foundation of Republic of Korea's development and prosperity. I express my deep appreciation to all Korean War veterans and their families," Lee said in the message read by Yoon Soon-gu, South Korea's consul general in Washington.
More than 150 war veterans, some in wheelchairs, along with their families and government officials, attended the event at the Rayburn House Office Building.
The ceremony began with the South Korean and the U.S. national anthems, followed by a moment of silence for the victims of North Korea's two deadly attacks on the South last year.
"I must say that the sinking of the Cheonan and the loss of those South Korean sailors is a reminder of how important this relationship has been for the last 60 years between the United States and South Korea," Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) said in his speech. "That relationship, for the veterans here today, was forged during your regional service there in South Korea."
Stressing the South Korea-U.S. alliance is more than a defense relationship, Royce called for the quick ratification of the bilateral free trade agreement.
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) also said the two sides should move the process along quickly, adding that the free trade deal is an agreement for South Koreans and Americans alike.
"We have so much work to do. We have so much to be proud of," he said. "We have a sense of obligation to the United States of America. We have an obligation to our friends in Korea to maintain the friendship, partnership and the security that we need from each other."
Rangel was an artillery operations specialist in a U.S. Army battalion during the Korean War, which began on June 25, 1950, and ended on July 27, 1953, with an armistice.
More than 50,000 U.S. soldiers were killed during the war, with 100,000 others wounded, according to U.S. government data.
Rangel said those who did not come back should not be forgotten.
He promised to step up efforts for the interests of Korean-American people here.
"I am just a symbol of America, a symbol of the military, a symbol of those people that fought, protecting the flag, not knowing where Korea was, not understanding it would become a giant in Asia and throughout the international community," he said.
