David Lopez, commander of the Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 56 of Ventura County, attended the third annual conference held in Korea in September.

KWVA-VC 56 Commander Lopez represents U.S. at Korean conference

October 14, 2009
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly Santa Paula TimesA Santa Paula native and active Korean War veteran was honored by The Korean Disabled Veterans Association to represent the United States at a recent conference held at the scene of the conflict. David Lopez, commander of the Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 56 of Ventura County, attended the third annual conference held in Korea in September.Commander Lopez, whose chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association with the Mercer-Prieto VFW Post 2043 co-hosts numerous public memorials honoring veterans, including the annual recognition of the end of the Korean War, participated in the military ceremony of the laying of the wreath at Seoul National Cemetery. Joining Lopez in the wreath ceremony were veterans from Australia, Denmark, England, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey, among others.“We were blessed to be have been asked to bring a family member or guest to share in this once in a lifetime opportunity,” Lopez, a resident of Torrance, noted. During the visit, “We were all treated like royalty and,” he added, “the respect that we received from the everyone involved was truly amazing.”The trip included tours to the Kyeong-Bok Royal Palace, the KOEX Aquarium and the In-Sa-Tong and Iee-Tae Won museums. A welcoming dinner party at the Lotte Hotel was held for the delegates.The tour even included a visit to the JSA/DMZ. Its fence runs more than a mile south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), which, said Lopez, “symbolizes the only divided country in the world.”
Delegates also were allowed the visit the MAC Building, the main conference area under the control of UNC, which is open to visitors from those who fought on opposite sides of the Korean War. “This is the only place in Panmunjom where people from both sides can cross the MDL and is one of the reasons that it attracts the attention of tourists from around the world.”Overall, the experience was one that Lopez said he will never forget: “I cannot express enough the gratitude we all feel for allowing us to be a part of such a great experience. The fact that this is the only organization that continues to recognize the dedication and the sacrifices that all Korean War vets made - even after 56 years - makes it a privilege to be a Korean War veteran.”And, he noted, “I wanted to express how grateful and thankful I am to have represented the United States of America,” at the conference. It was, said Lopez, “truly an honor... and thank you again to The Korean Disabled Veterans Association and the Korean Consulate for all that they did to make this a memory we will forever cherish.”



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