Tribute paid to Korean War Veterans at Cerritos Performing Arts Center

Korean Dance performed by the Navy Performers at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

By Jerry Bernstein

Korean Veterans, their families and friends gathered in the Sierra Room at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts July 27 in a Korean War Veterans Recognition Day Ceremony.
Cerritos Mayor Joseph Cho welcomed those present and introduced members of the city council and special guests. Opening ceremonies included the singing of the United States and Korean National Anthems by Soo Joung Lee.
The Mayor said this year, 2010, marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, when North Korea invaded South Korea. In this country the war is called the “Forgotten War.” “To the Korean people it is not a “ Forgotten War.” He reminded those present that the war was never formally ended with the signing of a peace treaty. The fighting stopped with the signing of an Armistice agreement.
He noted that it wasn’t until President Obama signed the Korean War Veterans Recognition Act on July 27, 2009 that the Korean War Veterans Day became a National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.
He expressed gratitude in behalf of his native country and said South Korea could not have become what it is today except for the American young men and women who defended the country. “Without their sacrifice my native country could not have become what it is today.” He extended his appreciation to the veterans who were present in the audience.
Visiting California and docked at the Port of Long Beach is the Republic of Korea Navy 2010 Cruise Training Task Group to pay its respect to the war veterans and to acknowledge their sacrifices and dedication. Representing the Task Force and participating in the ceremony was the Commander, KNA Training Task Group, who expressed his country’s sincere thanks in behalf of all the service men who fought in the war. “Today the Republic of Korea would not be what it is if not for you. We will never forget what you did for our country. To us, you are our heroes.”
Speaking for the veterans, who recently returned from Korea marking the 60th year of the war, was Clyde Van Dyk who said “We will never forget the people of Korea and their warm welcome given us upon our arrival. He said many of the veterans who were on the trip recognized some of the names of the 24,000 Americans who lost their lives in the war engraved on plaques on the walls of the memorial. We also will never forget our visit to the DMZ [Demilitarized Zone] and the North Korean’s looking at us through binoculars from their side of the zone.
Later in the evening, the Commander of the Task Force hosted a reception on board his ship for the veterans and their wives.
The Cerritos Friends of Korean War Veterans, Mid-Cities Korean-American Chamber of Commerce, Central Church Council of Southern California, Mid-Cities Silver Association, Korean Veterans Association of Los Angeles, ROK Naval Academy Alumni Association of Southern California, Korean Special Forces Veterans Association and Friends of American Veterans of the Korean War sponsored the Korean War Veterans Recognition Day Ceremony.