Overseas Koreans Platform

News Room

  1. Main page
  2. Overseas Koreans Platform
  3. News Room
Overseas Koreans Platform
Commemoration of the National Vietnam War Veterans Day
Country
United States
Date
2023.04.11

The National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony was held on Mar. 29 in Fort Lee, a borough at the eastern border of Bergen County, New Jersey. Some 50 Korean veterans of the Vietnam War lives in this region and they have been invited to a number of ceremonies related to the Vietnam War.


VFW 2342 in Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey

VFW 2342 in Fort Lee, Bergen County, New Jersey



Recently, Ellen Park, the first Korean American to be elected as an assemblywoman under the New Jersey Legislature, proposed a honorary resolution paying tribute to Korean veterans of the Vietnam War. The resolution came to the fore as it was passed unanimously at the General Assembly. The resolution is currently pending at the New Jersey Senate.

In a community hall called VFW CAIROLA-BARBER POST 2342, local high-profile politicians and community leaders were attended to honor and remember those who fought and sacrificed during the Vietnam War.


The Korean American Vietnam War Veterans holds regular meetings in the VFW hall.

The Korean American Vietnam War Veterans holds regular meetings in the VFW hall.



Founded in 1899, the VFW, which stands for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, is a place organized for veterans of the Vietnam War. The veterans who fought during the Spanish-American War in 1898 and the Philippine-American War from 1899 to 1902, returned home and launched the VFW voluntarily, growing into an organization with some 200,000 members as of 1936.

A great deal of legacies, including stories and photos, of the Korean War (1950–1953) veterans are displayed in the hall. Still, many Korean War veterans frequents this hall, sharing their memories of the war.


Veterans enjoy luncheon served at the ceremony.

Veterans enjoy luncheon served at the ceremony.



"Korean War veterans still shares the horrible atmosphere and scene at the time of the war like it happened yesterday," said Anthony Leone, a deputy commander of VFW 2342 post. "They are very proud to live in this region with many Korean American people. Those Koreans feel proud to defend their motherland with their own hands."

Some 20 Korean veterans of the Vietnam War, including co-chairman Bae Gwang-soo and Hwang Noh-hyeon of the Vietnam War Veterans Association in New Jersey, also joined the ceremony. "Wherever you go in America, people respect and honor war veterans. We want to give back with community services and volunteer works so that their expressions of gratitude would not remain in vain," Bae and Hwang said.

In her keynote speech, NJ State Assemblywoman Shama A. Haider (D) said, "As you have seen our assemblywoman Ellen Park's resolution honoring Korean Vietnam War veterans being passed, the legislature will never forget the fallen and survivors of the war for their sacrifices and doing its utmost to honor as well as treat them properly. I hope everyone here live a healthy life."


Assemblywoman Shama Haider delivers keynote remarks during the ceremony

Assemblywoman Shama Haider delivers keynote remarks during the ceremony



"I am also going to be a veteran. Today's development of America could not have been possible without you and senior veterans' sacrifices and efforts," said sheriff Anthony Cureton of the county. "I am always thankful for joining this community and I will keep on listening advice from you."


Sheriff Anthony Cureton delivers congratulatory remarks during the ceremony

Sheriff Anthony Cureton delivers congratulatory remarks during the ceremony



"I am really thankful for local politicians and other high-ranking officials on showing supports by attending this ceremony," said Barbara Cho, a lawyer who organizes the ceremony annually. Widely recognized by local Korean Americans, Cho has been attending a slew of Korean community ceremonies actively. Cho always feel proud to have a Korean American legislator serving for the region.

"A Korean assemblywoman is always taking care of us by upholding our honor," said Kim Ki-jeong, a war veteran who witnessed the moment of the honorary resolution passing in New Jersey legislature. "We will do our best to defend democracy and preserve human rights and charity on this earth."


A portrait of veteran Kim Ki-jeong hangs on a wall at the upper right corner

A portrait of veteran Kim Ki-jeong hangs on a wall at the upper right corner



Members of the VFW has been providing over USD 3 million of scholarship fund to local university students and doing community and legislative lobby activities in an effort to improve treatment of many other veterans.
In addition, in alignment with a local children care group, veterans had received thank you cards from local elementary school students on Valentine's Day.

The National Vietnam War Veterans Day was commemorated across the United States on Mar. 29. On Mar. 25, the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration was hosted in Manhattan, New York. Currently, in New York and New Jersey, a number of Korean veterans group, including a northeast branch of the Korean Veterans Association of the Republic of Korea, the Korean American Vietnam War Veterans Association in New Jersey, and the Vietnam Veterans of America, are still serving for the country and communities.




Overseas Korean correspondent