CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea ( June 26, 2012) -- Republic of Korea Army officers joined Korean Augmentation to the United States Army Soldiers, known as KATUSAs, for a rucksack march in commemoration of the 62nd anniversary of the Korean War here, June 25.
"What we did today is nothing compared to what our predecessors had to go through during the Korean War," said Cpl. Oh, Hyeon-myeong of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Garrison Humphreys. "What they did during the Korean War changed history and the way we live today. This rucksack march allowed us to think about war veterans who marched longer distances with heavier rucksacks, ready to shed blood for their country."
The Korean War was fought between the Republic of Korea, supported primarily by the U.S., and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, supported by the China and the Soviet Union. It began June 25, 1950, resulting in the division of peninsula that continues today. During the Korean War, the United States provided approximately 300,000 Soldiers to the effort.
The KATUSA program began in July 1950, during the Korean War, to support the alliance between the armed forces of the Republic of Korea and the United States, and the program still continues today. The KATUSA program provides the United States Army with Korean-speaking Soldiers who can speak fluent English, allowing greater military functionality and maneuverability throughout the Korean peninsula.
"This rucksack march was conducted to inherit the will of fallen patriots and pledge the punishment of enemy provocation," said Major Lim, Dae Chon, ROKA Support Group Area III commander. "North Korea is still threatening the peace on the Korean peninsula with various provocations, and ROK Forces will continue to solidify the sense of national security and self-reliant defense potential."
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