Korean War Memorial Project Committee
5215 Old Orchard Road, Suite 740, Skokie, Illinois 60077
Tel: (847) 470-8705, Fax: (847) 470-8709

Dear Korean War Veterans, Families, and Friends,

“Freedom Is Not Free” is the famous adage inscribed on the Korean War Memorial near the Lincoln Memorial in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C.

This year will be the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War that broke out when the North Korean Communist troops invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950, in an effort to communize the entire Korean peninsula. The democracy and freedom of the people of South Korea could not have been saved if the UN did not act in time to pass a resolution and send troops to help defend the nation.

For three years, until the Korean Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, the American military, with the help of troops from 15 other UN-member nations, deterred the merciless, undeclared military invasion from the North. 57,976 lives were sacrificed, of which over 54,246 were from the U.S.; 103,284 U.S. soldiers were wounded, 8,177  were MIA (missing in action), and 7,140 were POWs (prisoners of war).  Other nations suffered the loss of 3,730 lives; 12,146 were wounded, 379 were MIA, 1,376 were POWs. More than 3 million civilians lost their lives.

Perhaps no one knows the true costs of maintaining freedom, as well as the aging but still strong, Korean War veterans, who are indeed the living heroes of a bitter conflict that was dubbed “The Forgotten War” by many.

Labeled as a “Police Action” and not a Declared “War,” the Korean War was the first conflict in which troops fought under the United Nations’ flag, in this case, against the inhumane and unjustified invasion of South Korea by the aggressive Communist forces of North Korea, supported by the Soviet Union and China.  U.S. President Harry Truman, following the advice of General Douglas McArthur, actually committed the U.S. forces immediately into the fray, before the UN could hold its fateful vote.  The decisive action by the United States is credited by many South Koreans as the singular action that literally saved the nation. If President Truman had waited for even 3 more days, the nation could have been lost.

In his keynote address at the Korean War Memorial on July 27, 2009, Secretary Eric Shinseki of the Department of Veterans Affairs, who himself was wounded twice in the Vietnam War and received numerous medals for heroism, recounted the stories of several of the 131 ‘Medal of Honor’ Recipients from the Korean War (94 of which were presented posthumously). “We honor today those who fought, who bled, and even died.  Freedom is not free. Theirs was the price of freedom, laid on the altar of the Korean conflict.”  (The ‘Medal of Honor’ is our nation’s highest award for gallantry and courage in the face of enemy fire.)

President Barack Obama, on July 24, 2009, signed a Proclamation honoring July 27, 2009, as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, calling upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor and give thanks to our distinguished Korean War veterans, and asking Federal departments and agencies and interested groups, organizations, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff, in memory of the Americans who died as a result of their service in Korea.

On July 9, 2009, the US House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution commemorating June 25, 2009, as the 59th anniversary of Korean War.  In the resolution, it says under the title of the Korean War: “The Korean War, was but one for sure… From all across American shores… As came such fine brave hearts, who would somehow endure… All for our freedom to insure!  For some call it the Forgotten War!  But not so in our Lord’s eyes, for sure! For these, were the finest of all men… who live on this day… All in America’s greatest of all heroic lores! As was, the Korean War.”

There are many more testimonials to follow, from the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), the Korean War Veterans Association, Inc., the Korean War Memorial Foundation, the American Legion, the Korean War National Museum…that do not want to this to be the ‘Forgotten Victory’.

The Korean War 60th Anniversary Project Committee (“KW60”) chaired by Former Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, and co-chaired by Song Kang, assistant to the Speaker, as well as by Dr. Bo Hi Pak, a medaled Korean War veteran, will bring the famed ‘Little Angels of Korea’ to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in June, 2010, as well as in other U.S. cities and in other countries. The ‘Little Angels of Korea’ are a performing arts dance and singing group, composed of highly trained children between the ages of 8 and 14. The performances will be FREE to veterans and their families.  Through the performances of the ‘Little Angels of Korea’, we hope to comfort and honor the veterans whose sacrifices allowed Korea to experience freedom, independence, and prosperity.  The Little Angels not only represent the bright future of Korea, but also represent the continuing warm relationship between our two nations.

Since 1962, the ‘Little Angels of Korea’ have been touring the globe, representing the Korean people. They have performed several times at the White House, and at many other venues throughout the United States. To commemorate 2010 as the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, our angels will perform in Washington, D.C., New York, Ottawa, Atlanta and Bogota.

Our KW60 program is being funded by the Korean War 60th Anniversary Project Committee, a not-for-profit organization that needs your support and assistance. As most Korean War veterans are now age 80 or older, we would like to make the KW60 project in 2010 the most memorable event for them and their families. Your kind support and tax-deductible contributions to our Korean War Memorial Committee are much appreciated.

God Bless You and Your Family!
Song Kang
Co-Chairman
Korean War 60th Anniversary Project Committee