Commemorative photo taken after wreath-laying ceremony at the Korean war memorial in Cedar city. (Image courtesy of H2O Pumasi Movement Headquarters)
SEOUL, July 11 (Korea Bizwire) — In a moving tribute to mark the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and the 72nd anniversary of the South Korea–U.S. alliance, a group of South Korean students visited American war veterans in the western United States to express their gratitude through letters, ceremonies, and performances.
The event, titled “Thank You From Korea,” was organized by the H2O Pumassi Movement and took place across Utah and Nevada beginning July 8 (local time). The student delegation visited memorials, laid wreaths, and personally delivered handwritten letters of thanks to Korean War veterans and their families.
A highlight of the trip was the 75th Korean War Commemoration Ceremony held at the International Peace Education Center (IPEC) in Las Vegas, hosted by the local Korean American Association. More than 300 people attended, including veterans, their families, and local citizens. The students’ letter readings and cultural performances brought many in the audience to tears.
The letters came from winners of the nationwide “Thank You Letter to UN Veterans” contest, supported by the Paper Culture Foundation. Four top prize winners — Kim Jun-hee, Lee Ma-rin, Kim In-ah, and Kim Han-sung — delivered their letters in person, conveying heartfelt appreciation for the sacrifices made in the name of freedom and peace.
A Chorus performance of ‘Arirang’ at the 75th anniversary ceremony of the Korean war. (Image courtesy of H2O Pumasi Movement Headquarters)
“We created this program to express our enduring gratitude to the nations that supported Korea during the war,” said Lee Kyung-jae, chairman of H2O Pumassi. “It is a continuation of the spirit of mutual support we have upheld since 2001.”
The delegation also visited the Korean War Memorial in Cedar City, Utah — a site previously visited by the group 12 years ago — to hold a wreath-laying ceremony with local officials and veterans.
Earlier, on July 5, the delegation joined a ceremony in Kearns, Utah, to celebrate a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between Incheon’s Yeonsu District and local authorities. In front of more than 150 veterans and family members, the students read thank-you letters and sang the Korean folk song “Arirang,” earning a standing ovation.
The 26-member delegation was composed of contest winners and student ambassadors selected from more than 8,000 annual participants. Many of the students, dubbed “Little Ambassadors,” had previously visited the U.S. in a similar mission of remembrance in 2013.
Chairman Lee noted, “These letters may seem small, but to the veterans, they offer lasting comfort and pride. We must never forget the sacrifices made and will carry forward a spirit of global solidarity and gratitude.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
