It’s now been 60 years since the cease-fire of the Korean War. To commemorate this historical milestone, a Friendship and Gratitude Event was held at the Sedona Military Service Park on June 14, 2013. About 150 people, including 75 veterans, joined the event.

Representatives from the South Korean Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the deputy consul general from the Los Angeles Korean Consulate and the president of the federation of U.S. Korean-American Associations attended to express their gratitude and congratulations. During the ceremony, the National Defense Force Service Command awarded Certificates of Appreciation to the Sedona Korean-American Association and Ilchi Lee, who initiated and supported the Korean War Veterans Memorial project.

In his congratulatory speech, the representative of the South Korean Ministry of Veterans Affairs expressed his gratitude to Korean War Veterans. He said, “Thanks to your sacrifice and devotion, a devastated country 60 years ago has now become a country that accomplished a mature liberal democracy with remarkable economic growth. The government of the Republic of Korea will transfer the mind of gratitude to the growing generation and educate them to pay it back by contributing to peace and freedom everywhere in the world.”

The event included a photo exhibition that showed the pictures of Korea during and right after the Korean War 60 years ago, as well as pictures of Korea now. The difference was striking and rewarding, especially to the Korean War veterans who witnessed and experienced Korea during the war. Korean War veterans said their sacrifices were not wasted.

Banya Lim, president of Sedona Korean-American Association said, “We are glad that our effort to enhance understanding and friendship between the two cultures was recognized by both the local community and the Korean government. We gladly accept this as a request for the Sedona Korean-American Association to take more responsibility for the good of the community.”

Korean Dignitary To Attend Sedona Korean War Memorial Celebration

The “South Korean Minister of Veterans Affairs” from Seoul, Korea, will attend a June 14^th celebration hosted by Sedona’s Korean-American Association to celebrate 60 years’ Friendship and Gratitude since the cease-fire of the Korean Conflict.  Local area veterans are invited to join the delegation at a 10am at Sedona Military Service Park, at the intersection of State Route 89A and Northview Drive.  There will be a short musical performance and Korean War photo exhibition, followed at 12pm with a complimentary lunch at the Sedona Meditation Center, 340 Jordan Rd. Sedona, to which all area veterans in cap or uniform are invited.

Sedona Korean-American Association has worked with the Sedona Marine Corps League to create the Sedona Military Service Park. This project was dedicated to the men and women who have honorably served their country during times of peace and war.

Sixty years have passed since the cannons ceased in the Korean War. According to Korean culture, 60 years has special meanings associated with the blessings of longevity and wisdom. Banya Lim, president of the Sedona Korean-American Association said, “We believe this applies to the relationship between South Korea and the United States, too. Underlying the purpose of the Sedona Korean-American Association is the Korean people’s appreciation for the years of continuous friendship and support from the United States.” She also added, “The importance of the strong ties between Korea and the U.S. is highlighted by the recent military tension on the Korean Peninsula.”

That was the spirit that moved Korean-American Association to participate in the Sedona Military Service Park Project. According to Lim, “we wanted to demonstrate and establish a good example of how this tie can be strengthened by voluntary activities in a local community.”

Please RSVP luncheon attendance at 928-282-3600.

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The Korean War raged across the tiny peninsula before ending nearly 60 years ago.

More than 2.5 million Koreans from both North and South Korea were killed as communist and democratic forces waged a proxy war pitting the rival world powers of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union against each other during the early years of the Cold War.

To commemorate the end of the war, Sedona will soon welcome South Korean Minister of Patriots and Veteran Affairs, Sungchoon Park, who will attend the Korean-American War Memorial celebration hosted by the Sedona Korean-American Association on Friday, June 14, at 10 a.m. at the Sedona Military Service Park.

Many Sedona residents and veterans from across the Verde Valley attended the Groundbreaking Ceremonies for Sedona’s new Veteran’s Park on February 7th, 2013. Mayor Rob Adams officiated at the ceremony and expressed his thanks to the major contributors which included Joel De Tar, President of “Sedona 30”; Ray Stueve, Commander of the Sedona Marine Corp organization; Banya Lim, President of the Sedona Korean American Association; and Ray Scott, who will be the contractor for the park.

The park is a joint effort between the Sedona Marine Corps and the Sedona Korean American Association, both who worked tirelessly to make this project come to fruition.

Located at 273 N Highway 89A (next to the Bank of America), the Sedona Veteran Park will honor all the local veterans that participated in the various wars and conflicts. Any veterans interested in being honored should contact Ms. Rachel Murdock at 928-203-5011.

Contact: Banya Lim, President, Sedona Korean American Association
Tel: 928-274-2957
Email: sedonakorean@gmail.com
http://www.sedonakorean.org