한국어
Kansas City Korean Society Hosts Celebration on June 25th
On Wednesday, June 25, at 12:00 p.m., the 75th Korean War Anniversary Event hosted by the Kansas City Korean Society (Chairman Mun Kyung-hwan) was held at Cinzetti's Italian Restaurant in Overland Park.
On this day, the event was hosted by Cherish Cho, and about 30 local Koreans, 4 Korean war veterans, and their families attended, adding meaning.
The event began with a thank-you performance by Dr. Jiwon Choi (piano) and Sangyoung Lee (violin). The two performers deeply moved the attendees with their performances honoring the veterans.
Korean Chairman Mun Kyung-hwan said at the opening ceremony, “We will never forget the sacrifices of young warriors who gave their lives in an unfamiliar land for freedom and peace 75 years ago,” and “Thanks to their courage, Korea has developed into a prosperous democratic nation today.”
Chairman Kim Young-yeol expressed his deep gratitude to the veterans and their families through his thank-you remarks. “Your sacrifices have not been in vain, and our gratitude has deepened over time,” he said.
In particular, the event was attended by Missouri's Korean War Memorial Director Debora and delivered a message honoring the courage and sacrificial spirit of the veterans. He said, “The Korean War was a noble war to protect freedom, and the veterans' devotion was the foundation for freedom enjoyed by millions.”
What is remarkable about this event is the reality that the number of veterans is decreasing every year. As the number of veterans who can attend is decreasing due to their advanced age, it is becoming more important to remember and express gratitude for their sacrifices and hard work.
Chairman Mun Kyung-hwan said, “At this point, the Korean community must be more active in remembering and expressing gratitude for their sacrifices,” and emphasized that “we have a responsibility to convey the meaning of the Korean War and the noble sacrificial spirit of veterans to the younger generation.”
According to the event program, the ceremony went beyond simple remembrance and functioned as a place of education to convey the historical meaning and value of the Korean War to future generations. Attendees recalled the values symbolized by the Korean War: duty, sacrifice, and a firm commitment to freedom.
Since its establishment in 1968, the Greater Kansas City Korean Society has continued to play a role as a leading organization for preserving and disseminating Korean culture, promoting international goodwill, and creating a precedent for cultural transfer, and this Korean War celebration was also held as part of that mission.
The event concluded with prayers of blessings for the veterans, Korea, and the United States, and the attendees pledged to continue to remember and express their gratitude for the sacrifices of the veterans through this celebration.