CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea -- It's halfway through the month of June and permanent change of station season is in full swing across the Korean peninsula. During this time, departing Soldiers and civilians are being recognized for their hard work and contribution during their tours in the Land of the Morning Calm.
Being recognized for a job well done often brings smiles to a face. It takes about 26 muscles in a person's face to smile and one family is dedicated to working all of those muscles on that special day of recognition.
The Pak family, a trio of mother, father and son who run a small trophy shop here, have been on the other end of Soldier and civilian smiles for more than 47 years.
Chong Hong Pak, the father, started making plaques and customized memorabilia in 1967 at a small U.S. Army base called Camp Page. When the base shut down, he and his family then moved four more times to U.S. Army bases at Camp Long and Camp Eagle which also closed their doors in 2009. Eventually the family landed an opportunity at Suwon Air Base where they remained until moving to Camp Humphreys in 2010.
The Pak family's dedication to providing a memorable experience can be seen in the craftsmanship of their products.
"When our customers order a particular product, we work hard to make them happy," said Pak. "Making the customer happy with a product they can proudly present, has allowed us to build relationships and afforded us a good reputation in our community."
To date, the Pak family estimates that since the late 1960s, they have made approximately 50,000 custom made keepsakes for departing Soldiers and community members.
It could be said that the Pak family are a talented bunch that provide a wide range of services, but there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.
"My parents and I continue to learn new processes with the most current equipment available, so we can produce products that are appealing to our young and older customers," said Sungik Pak, son to Pak. "We are constantly training together on different equipment so we can remain competitive."
Pak Jr., the only son in the family served his country, just as his father did. Both father and son understand the value of service and being recognized for it.
"My father served in the Korean army for three years in 1963 and I served for two years in 1994," said Sungik. "When we finished our service, we did not receive an award or plaque commemorating our service. I think it's wonderful how American Soldiers and civilians honor one another with tokens of appreciation for a job well done in the military. We are happy to be a part of that process."
The legacy of the Pak family continues to bring on smiles ever since they began their family business almost five decades ago.
The memories made by this trio may end up in the hands of future generations. They may one day provide insight to a Soldiers Family on his or her past accomplishments in the military.
"There is no better feeling than the feeling I get when I see our custom crafted products in photos on unit Facebook pages," said Sungik. "It fills [my family's] hearts with joy to see the big smiles on Soldiers faces on their special day."
Social Sharing