War veterans whom shall be remembered for eternity

     Today is a Korean Memorial Day (Koreans simply call this day, “625”). And for the commemorating this day, I want to share a short poem with you. The poem is etched in stone at a Korean War Veteran’s Memorial in the Liberty State Park, New Jersey. 

We didn’t do much talking,

We didn’t raise a fuss.

But Korea really happened

So please - remember us.

We all just did our duty

But we didn’t win or lose.

A victory was denied us

But we didn’t get to choose.

We all roasted in the summer

In winter, we damn near froze.

Walking back from near the Yalu

With our blackened frozen toes.

Like the surf the Chinese kept coming

With their bugles in the night.

We fired into their masses

Praying for the morning light.

All of us just had to be there

And so many of us died.

But now we’re all but half forgotten

No one remembers how we tried.

We grow fewer with the years now

And we still don’t raise a fuss.

But Korea really happened

So please - remember us.

                  -written by. Roberto J. Prinselaar

     I learned that during Korean War, over 1,000,000 soldiers from 21 UN countries including Australia were involved in the war. I didn’t know so many countries were involved in this war! Not only the Korean War veterans but we also need to remember and be grateful to the soldiers who sacrificed to protect the nations. 

     Chairman Man-Hee Lee was also a Korean War veteran, and to borrow his words, “Why is young life thrown away without having had a chance to bloom because of war?” It was not their will to fight but the politicians’. Then why not politicians fight but send the young men to fight for them? The war should be never exists in this universe, even the word! We should be the ones who have to bring peace to the future generation and remember those who died in the battle fields. 

Reference: http://generalmacarthurshonorguard.com/Korean_War_Poem.php

Man-Hee Lee, led the event of Korean Independence Day

     
     August 15th is Korean Independence Day-in Korean, “광복절.” The meaning of “광복절” is a restoration of light. Korea was once under control by Japan for over 40 years. During the Japan-conquering period, many Koreans tried independent movement. The most well-known movement is March 1st movement in 1919 which is another big holiday in Korea. And in 1945, Korea finally became an independent country.

     Man-Hee Lee, a veteran Korean War soldier who knows well about the misery of war, led the Independent festival to commemorate those who sacrificed for Korea. Many beautiful Korean traditional dances, plays, orchestra, martial arts performance, etc. were held and flew an extra-large thumbprint Korean flag up in the sky. 

<The thumbprint Korean flag>

   The thumbprint was sealed by 17,337 citizens. Amazing isn’t it? It is now listed in the Guinness Book. Everyone who participated in the event was all touched by the effort of one man. As a love for country, Man-Hee Lee is a true patriot and peace leader of this time.