Korean War Veterans Honor Ceremony July 24

 “Gratitude and Deep Appreciation”

Veterans From Throughout Kentucky Honored by South Korean General 

When KDVA staff arrived at the Exposition Center at 7:45 a.m. Thursday to begin preparing for the 2 p.m. ceremony honoring veterans of the Korean War, James B. Short was waiting for them.  The Army veteran of Korea and two tours in Vietnam had driven up the night before from Harlan.

“Nobody ever gave me anything for my service before,” he said.  “I wasn’t about to miss this.”

“This” was the presentation of special medallions and certificates to Kentucky’s veterans of the Korean War, from Major General (ret.) Choi, Seung-Woo.

“Today I came to Louisville, Kentucky to honor the Korean War Veterans,” General Choi told the crowd of 500 veterans and their families, “and on behalf of the Korean people to bring a message of gratitude and deep appreciation to the Korean War Veterans for their invaluable sacrifice.”

Read the rest here. (PDF 18 KB)

Former POW and survivor of the Tiger Death March Jack Browning, of Frankfort, poses with his medal and General Choi.

Army Specialist Molly Mullin received the medallion for her grandfather from General Choi.

Individuals who served in the military during the Korean War era are eligible for the Medallion and Certificate.  If you have not received the Medallion and Certificate, you may still register for them by completing this form [PDF 468 KB] and faxing it, along with a copy of your DD-214, to (502) 696-5289 or mailing it to:

KDVA
Attention: Pamela Cypert
1111B Louisville Rd
Frankfort, KY 40601

For almost 10 years, Major General (Ret.) Choi Sueng-Woo has been delivering his personal thanks and gratitude to American veterans of the Korean War.

 “Since I came to understand a historical significance of the U.S. commitment to Korea and its democratic growth,” General Choi says, “it has become my earnest desire to express my sincere thanks to all those great American soldiers, men and women, who bravely took part in the Korean War to help us defend peace and freedom from the ruthless blitz-krieg invasion of North Korean communists who were supported by USSR and China.”

The 30-year military veteran who was a child during the Korean War but fought with American soldiers in VietNam first expressed his appreciation to veterans in Tennessee in 1999.  In return, Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe proclaimed July 11 of that year “General Choi Seung Woo Day.” 

“I was inspired and I made up my mind to honor the veterans of the Korean War in some way,” General Choi says. “I wished to commemorate in some substantial ways the noble sacrifices as were gallantly displayed by Korean War veterans.”

Choi, who is now the Executive of Yesan County in Choongnam Province, Republic of Korea, decided to award special medals.  He designed and had struck heavy metal medallions with neck ribbons and certificates to present to American veterans of the Korean War.

Since 2000, he has presented the medallions and certificates to more than 5,000 veterans across the country, including several hundred in Kentucky in 2003, the 50th anniversary of the end of fighting in Korea.

Please Register Today 
[PDF 468 KB]

Or call Pamela Cypert at 800-572-6245