Staff Sgt. Tim Volkert Release #03-04

PH: (703) 602-5295 Date: Feb. 20, 2003

FAX: (703) 604-0833

Nation to salute Korean War veterans during

armistice commemoration in July

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 27, 50 years ago, the United States, along with 21 other United Nations members signed the armistice to end the Korean War. After returning home, many service members never talked about their experiences and the world seemed to forget the war happened, or at least, did not realize the impact this war had on communist aggression.

The United States will honor these heroes during the National Salute to Korean War Veterans July 25-27 in Washington D.C. with a star-studded event at the MCI Center, a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery and a wreath-laying and memorial ceremony at the Korean War Veterans Memorial on The Mall.

The event at the MCI Center will include musical performances by military and nationally-recognized artists, guest speakers and a parade of unit colors from all five branches of the U.S. military and the 21 other nations that participated under the United Nations Command during the war. This parade of colors will mark the first time all the colors of the major units from the Korean War have been brought together.

The Department of Defense has been sponsoring events across the country to honor and thank Korean War veterans and family members for their sacrifice and service to their country. The DoD 50^th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee kicked off their events with a ceremony at the Korean War Veterans Memorial June 25, 2000, marking the 50^th anniversary of the day North Korean military forces crossed the 38^th Parallel in an attempt to take the freedom of South Koreans.

Since the opening ceremony, the committee has sponsored more than 100 commemoration events in every region of the United States. There have also been hundreds of smaller, local events sponsored by the committee’s commemorations partners, which include more than 10,000 cities, states, schools, businesses and other organizations nationwide.

-More-

“The support the people of this country have provided us to thank and honor Korean War veterans has been tremendous,” said retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Nels Running, executive director of the DoD 50^th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee. “This three-day event in Washington D.C. will be a great opportunity for the nation to take the time to recognize the 1.8 million Korean War veterans who stopped communist aggression in its tracks and preserved the freedom of the Republic of South Korea.”

All Korean War veterans, family members, next of kin and the public are invited to attend the events to honor these American heroes and let them know their sacrifices during the Korean War have not been forgotten.

Listed below are upcoming commemoration events leading up to the July commemoration events.

There will be a Regional Joint Service Commemoration in San Antonio, Texas March 8 at 2 p.m. at La Villita Assembly Hall. During this event, the Consul of the Republic of Korea from Houston, Texas, will award a Republic of Korea - Korean War Service Medals to Korean War veterans representing each of the five U.S. military services.

On March 22 at 10 a.m., the Great Lakes Joint Service Commemoration will take place at the Macomb Sports Expo Center in Warren, Mich. During this event, a Republic of Korea – Korean War Service Medal will be awarded to five Korean War veterans, representing their respective branch of service. Canadian armed forces veterans will also attend and be honored at this event.

The DoD 50^th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee will host a joint service wreath-laying ceremony in honor of Korean War veterans at the Korean War Veterans Memorial on The Mall in Washington D.C., May 26.

Korean War veterans will be the special guests of the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, Maj. Gen. James T. Jackson, for the Twilight Tattoo June 25 at the Ellipse in Washington D.C. at 7 p.m. A Korean War veteran will be the reviewing official for the parade of the troops during the event.

For more information about the Korean War or any of the upcoming events, call the DoD 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee toll-free 1-866-KOREA50 or visit the official Web site at www.korea50.mil.