The Republic of Korea Army 2nd Operations Command hosted the Nak-dong River battle re-enactment with support from the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command at Waegwan Sept. 3. The re-enactment commemorated one of the major battles during the early Korean War for its 60th anniversary.
The broad-scale event organized from efforts of hundreds of U.S. and ROK Soldiers was planned and prepared for about half a year, with coordination between the 2OC and the 19th ESC. With help from 30 U.S. Soldiers, about 300 Soldiers from the ROK 201st Special Forces Brigade performed a realistic re-enactment, not to mention preparations from hundreds of other Soldiers who particiA,A!pated in the set-up and rehearsals.
The opening ceremony included the Gumi city chorus choir, 2OC honor guard and a band performance. "We are here at the Nak-dong River where the fiercest battle had been fought, to commemA,A!orate the fallen Soldiers 60 years ago. It was the battle of life or death for the ROKA with nowhere to retreat, and was also the first major victory where the U.S. and ROK allies defeated the north Korean army," said Gen. Lee Chul-hee, 2OC commander. Kim Kwan-yong, Kyungbuk province governor, and Park Hee-mo, war veterans association chief, also congratulated the victory from 60 years ago.
The recreation of the battle started off with the re-enactment of the Waegwan railway bridge demolition. It was the U.S. 1st Cavalry.
The opening ceremony included the Gumi city chorus choir, 2OC honor guard and a band performance. "We are here at the Nak-dong River where the fiercest battle had been fought, to commemA,A!orate the fallen Soldiers 60 years ago. It was the battle of life or death for the ROKA with nowhere to retreat, and was also the first major victory where the U.S. and ROK allies defeated the north Korean army," said Gen. Lee Chul-hee, 2OC commander. Kim Kwan-yong, Kyungbuk province governor, and Park Hee-mo, war veterans association chief, also congratulated the victory from 60 years ago.
The recreation of the battle started off with the re-enactment of the Waegwan railway bridge demolition. It was the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division's decision to stop the north Korean army from advancing toward Busan. The plan played a big role for the allies in holding the Busan defense perimeter, stopping the north from reaching any further. The bridge was restored in 1993, to be appointed as a culA,A!tural property and is now named the Bridge of Patriot.
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