The NOT forgotten war

By Sgt. Gaelen Lowers, 8th Theater Sustainment Command Public AffairsJune 26, 2012

Veterans
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The Not Forgotten War
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8th TSC Wreath
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Glenn Grothe, chief of staff for the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, and Spc. Andrew Armstrong, protocol Soldier for the 8th TSC, carry a commemorative wreath that the 8th TSC laid on the Korean War memorial during the 62nd Korean War Commemora... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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HONOLULU, Hawaii--The Korean War started with a sudden invasion and, although a cease-fire armistice was signed three years later, the war has never officially ended.

In the United States, the Korean War is commonly referred to as The Forgotten War, but on Monday, June 25, with the representatives of many Pacific countries and the veterans who fought during the conflict, the U.S. made sure for the 62nd time, that the Korean War would never be forgotten.

The 62nd Korean War Commemoration was held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, hosted by the Consul General of the Republic of Korea, the Honorable Young-Kil Suh. War veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice were honored, and special guests were invited to place a wreath on the memorial as a commemoration to the start of the Korean War.

Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz said that there was no other country in the world that had a better relationship to the United States, than the South Koreans, and that the U.S. government was proud to commemorate the day that so many Koreans and Americans lost their lives fighting for freedom and what they believed in.

Also present were key military leaders including representatives from the United States Army Pacific, the 8th Theater Sustainment Command and the 25th Infantry Division, as well as top ranking officials from the Navy, Coast Guard and Marines.

The keynote speaker for the day's events was Lt. Gen. Duane D. Thiessen, commander of U.S. Marine Forces Pacific.

"The United Nations suffered 142,000 casualties and the Korean people lost more than 1 million lives," he stated. "We come here today to remember the three-year struggle across the Korean peninsula, to remind ourselves that freedom is not free, and to pay tribute to those who sacrificed so much."

Col. Glenn Grothe, chief of staff for the 8th TSC, represented the 8th TSC during the commemorative wreath laying.

"The wreath was in honor of the veterans who fought so bravely and also to those who gave their lives, making the ultimate sacrifice," he said. "It's important to recognize those who have come before us. We did that today and it was an honor and privilege to do so."

In attendance were also more than 100 veterans and spouses of fallen warriors.

"The honor and the respect the country of Korea has shown me makes this commemoration even more important," said James Ward, retired sergeant from the Marine Corps. and veteran of the Korean War.

He then told a story about a visit he made to Korea. He went to a museum, and a bus of school children happen to be there at the same time. When the children saw him, without provocation, they ran up, hugged him and thanked him for his service to the military and their country.

"That was worth every minute I spent in that war," he said smiling. "I'm very proud of the military, what they have done for me and more importantly, what they have done for others. They made me a better person, because I follow their example and am not afraid to put myself forward to help others."

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