We will remember

Kathrin Moser, EMC Staff Writer|November 18, 2013

If you think “The Korean war? I never heard about that” you are not alone and it’s probably because of its timing.  World War II ended a few years before the Korean War began. The Vietnam War began several years after the Korean War Armistice was signed and lasted approximately 10 years. Veterans of the Korean War often perceive the Korean War as being seen by the American public as a “Forgotten Victory.”

“The fact that 36,574 Americans were killed and 103,284 were wounded, went missing in action or became prisoners of war makes it totally unforgettable,” said Mr. Slaven, Navy Veteran, in an audience for juniors at Friday 9, 2013 at Galway Central High School.

What is the Korean war? What happened? In summary, the Korean war last three years, from June 1950 to July 1953. South Korea (Republic of Korea, supported by the US) and North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union) fought about the political division of whole Korea from the conclusion of the Pacific war at the end of World War II. Korea was ruled by the Empire of Japan until the end of World War II. American administrators divided the peninsula along the 38th parallel, with U.S military forces, occupying the southern half and Soviet military forces occupying the northern half.  The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines all served in the Korean War with distinction. The U.S. military along with the armed forces of 21 other countries, fought to maintain a free and democratic South Korea.

And why do we celebrate Veteran’s Day? It’s a federal holiday occurring in November, giving us one more day without school.  It marks the anniversary of the end of World War I. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving.

In summary, the results of the Korean war was a huge difference between the North and South, the conflict is still going on but not in the radical way. The spread of Communism was stopped in the Far East. South Korea was saved and today is one of the leading nations in the world (f.e. Samsung ). In North Korea, not much has changed and it’s still poor. North Korea spends most of its money maintaining one of the largest armies in the world and is a nuclear headache to its neighbors in the Far East.

Interesting to know: Every Veteran who spoke to the juniors mentioned they would do it again, despite the hardships they incurred.

Anyone interested in contacting the Department of Defense Korean War 60th Anniversary Commemoration Committee can contact by phone (703)545-2656.

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