[An image of the Dedication Ceremony of the Korean War Memorial on November 11, 2021. Photo credit to Jian Ra]

On November 11th, Veterans Day, people come together to stand in unity in respect and remembrance for all veterans.

On Veterans Day, November 11th, 2021, I had the honor of participating in the Dedication Ceremony for the Korean War Memorial Monument in Orange County, California.

As the youngest speaker at the gathering, I shared my personal connection to the Korean War through my grandfather’s experiences.

Growing up, I listened to my grandfather’s harrowing bedtime stories about life during the Korean War.

His recollections, filled with unimaginable horror, made me shudder even in the comfort of my own bed.

The daily sights of death and hunger, coupled with the sounds of cannons, airplanes, and gunshots, still haunt his memories.

For him, the war is not merely a memory but a weight he still carries in his chest.

Each night, I fell asleep appalled by his pain, yet deeply grateful that my grandparents survived to be with me.

Unfortunately, the younger generations are becoming less aware of the Korean War, and even our imagination fails to comprehend its severity.

It frustrated me how easily this defining historical event is overlooked.

One day, I saw a plaque from the Memorial Committee, thanking my grandfather for his advocacy.

The committee commemorated every one of the 36,591 fallen heroes who fought for the Republic of Korea, which moved me profoundly.

In gratitude for the American soldiers’ selflessness, I developed a passion for honoring their sacrifices.

I joined as a founding committee member, committed to learning about the importance of this war.

To show my dedication, I broke into my savings to donate towards the construction of the Memorial Monument.

The dedication ceremony commemorated the 36,591 American soldiers who gave their lives in the Korean War.

I received certificates signed by members of the U.S. House of Representatives and was featured in several news articles, including the LA Times.

President Joe Biden, in his congratulatory message, stated, “Our Nation is forever indebted to our fallen heroes of the Korean War… While we can never fully repay the debt we owe them, this memorial stands as a reminder that we will never fail to honor those who gave their last full measure of devotion.”

The monument features five-star-shaped granite blocks containing the names of the fallen troops.

Looking at the unveiled monument, I pondered all the unnamed stars across the world, still in the dark corner of our oblivion.

After delivering my speech, I had a touching encounter.

A Korean War veteran tapped my shoulder and simply said, “Thank you.”

This brief interaction deeply moved me and reinforced my commitment to make everyone “unforget” the Forgotten War, and our defenders, who were in the blind spots of appreciation and recognition.

Inspired to do more, I reached out to Rami Hyun, the founder of Project Soldier, a non-profit organization that documents Korean War veterans’ stories worldwide.

This led to an interview with Young-book Yoo, a veteran who had been held captive by North Korea for fifty years.

The interview revealed the harsh realities faced by many veterans, who often lack proper support and recognition despite South Korea’s economic growth.

Yoo’s vivid accounts, and this lack of systematic support or respect experienced by the Korean veterans, rekindled my passion: I, as a representative of the younger generation of Korea, must amplify their voices.

When I asked Yoo about the meaning of the war, he responded, “It is a wound I never wish to relive, and one I hope the younger generation never has to experience.”

I concluded our interview by saying, “We will remember this not as “The Forgotten War” but as a significant period in our history that shaped our present. I will continue to carry out my mission: ensuring that the forgotten return home from our oblivion, their wounds unforgotten in our chests. Thank you for your service.”

He replied, “Thank you for remembering us.”

His response surprised me, as it was I who felt grateful for the opportunity to show my appreciation.

I know my words will never be enough without action.

I will continue my mission to ensure that the forgotten are brought out of obscurity, their sacrifices etched in our collective memory.