Casey celebrates Chuseok with Dongducheon Mayor, local citizens

By Pvt. Jamal WalkerOctober 19, 2009

Casey celebrates Chuseok with Dongducheon Mayor, local citizens
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

DONGDUCHEON CITY - The USAG-Casey Community Activities Center Manager, Sally Hall, and her staff try to use all of their resources within Family, Morale Welfare and Recreation and the Dongducheon community to hold events for Soldiers and their Family members to gain culture awareness and appreciation of the enriched history of Korea. The CAC offered a program for the USAG-Casey community during the Chuseok Holiday by holding a luncheon and traditional ceremony Oct. 9 of how Koreans celebrate the holiday, which is similar to America's Thanksgiving, at the Yulim Hotel in Dongducheon City.

The USAG-Casey community members were greeted by the hotel personnel and then taken to change into Hanbok robes to gain an appreciation of the loose fitting and comfortable clothing. The Warrior Country members in attendance then enjoyed music from a Korean percussion group using traditional instruments before welcome remarks were made by Hall and Lee, Pok-yon, DDC Volunteer Center director.

"There are many American Soldiers in Dongducheon, but we do not always have a chance to make exchanges between them so I hope we can be more familiar with each other through this exchange program," Lee said.

The event was highlighted with remarks from Oh, Seo-chang, Dongducheon City mayor, and Lt. Col. Richard Fromm, USAG-Casey commander, including a showcase of Chuseok foods and dishes with a demonstration of the Chuseok bow before beginning the meal.

"With events like this, we hope to build Dongducheon city as the best English speaking city and if not the best English village in Korea," Oh said.

"I am honored to be here today" Fromm said. "I strongly agree with the mayor and the city council that these exchange events are a benefit to both the Korean and the U.S. Families. I challenge the Family members to go out and experience the Korean culture as much as you can."