Camp Casey, South Korea - One of the most important virtues of Soldiers stationed at the front line of the South Korea's defense against threats from North Korea is to understand the sacrifices of their predecessors who protected the country in Korean War.
14 Korean Augmentees to the United States Army assigned to 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division/ ROK-U.S. Combined Division, participated in the brigade's first oratorical contest, June 29, at the Casey Theater, Camp Casey.
The Korean Augmentation to the United States Army program began in 1950 during the Korean War. The program was created to aid Soldiers from the U.S. Army and ROK Army in communicating with each other and to overcome language barrier obstacles.
Prior to the competition, the candidates prepared a five minute speech on the hardships and dedication of KATUSA veterans and methods to improve military readiness of the ROK-U.S. alliance.
"It is an honor to open the first KATUSA oratorical competition in the brigade and I hope it will be the first of many coming ahead." Said Command Sgt. Maj. Carlos G. Gonzalez Pabon assigned as a command sergeant major of 210th FA Bde., 2nd Inf. Div. "The contest is a representation of how the ROK- U.S. alliance becomes stronger every day and the unification of U.S. Soldiers, KATUSA Soldiers and our ROK partners across the peninsula."
After careful examination of the speeches of all candidates, the judges thoroughly evaluated scores for each presentation. Prizes were awarded to those who scored the highest among the candidates.
"From the oratorical competition, I was able to feel the patriotism of KATUSA Soldiers in the 'Thunder' Brigade," said Maj. Hyungchul Oh, an officer-in-charge of the ROKA Staff Office assigned to 210th FA Bde., 2nd Inf. Div. "The event was hosted in commemoration of heroic service during the Korean War, and to remind our Soldiers that Korea was built on top of the blood and sweats spilled by our ancestors."
The winner of the competition was Cpl. RyunHyeong Kim a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Chemical Specialist assigned to the 66th Forward Support Company, 3rd Battalion 13th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th FA Bde., 2nd Inf. Div. who scored 472 points for his speech. Cpl. Kim was awarded with a brigade coin, a certificate of achievement, and an off-post pass for his accomplishment in the competition.
"I have always wondered if I was doing a good job for my 21 months of military service," said Kim. "I am honored to receive this award from the brigade, and I will think of this award as a guideline to become an exemplary KATUSA for the remainder of my services in Camp Casey."
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