62nd anniversary: Korean War’s end
never forgotten by KWVA-VC Chapter 56
Published:  July 24, 2015

The tradition observance of the anniversary of the end of the Korean War will be recognized by devoted veterans Saturday who each year stage the event to show that those that served are never forgotten. And that includes by Koreans who also fought such as Hong Ki Park, President of the Korean War Veterans Association who will speak at the event.

Ironically, it was the Korean War itself that seemed largely forgotten coming on the heels of World War II that spanned The Greatest Generation and followed by the highly controversial conflict in Viet Nam.

But organizations such as the Korean War Veterans Association-Ventura County Chapter #56 have ensured that the war — and those that served — will never be forgotten by spearheading the Highway 126 Korean War Veterans Highway project and it’s annual observance at Veterans Memorial Park.

The observance for the 62nd anniversary of the end of the Korean War will be held at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, July 25 at 9:30 a.m. with patriotic melodies; the program will start at 10 a.m.

The community is invited to attend the observance that will include a complete burial ceremony with the folding of The Stars and Stripes with the meaning of each fold explained and a 21-gun-salute. 

There will also be a barbeque at Steckel Park following the ceremony at Veterans Park.

Said Commander David Lopez, “Even after 62 years our Chapter #56 is still honoring our Korean War dead, and it’s up to you, the relatives of those heroes to remember them at our ceremony.

“We need you — the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and wives — to honor those who were killed in the Korean War or those who died after coming home,” with a wreath or flowers.

Even if a person cannot attend the annual observance, held in front of the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Chapter 56 can arrange for a floral tribute.

Lopez said, “If you would like to honor your loved one and cannot be present to do so we will be more than happy to do that for you,” by contacting him at 1-310-323-8481.

Tell Lopez who you wish to be honored, and what kind of floral tribute you would prefer. A wreath costs $28 and a bouquet $16. 

“Remember, we are also honoring those veterans that were fortunate enough to come home alive but who are now deceased,” a mission of the KWVA.

“It is up to us the living,” said Lopez, “to remember those deceased veterans for their service to our country.”

At the July 25 ceremony, there will the playing of a medley of armed forces songs until the observance starts at 10 a.m. 

Lopez, who will oversee the ceremony, said it will include, “The posting of our flags,” Pledge of Allegiance, prayer by David Pressey, a special speaker — KWVA President Park who has addressed our observance before — and the reading of the casualty list.

The placing of the wreaths will follow with the first— the chapter’s own — placed by former Commander and CWR2 Liaison Officer Steve Cho, followed by placement of floral tributes by the general public; members of Chapter #56 will place tributes for those who were unable to attend. 

The burial ceremony demonstration and folding of the Stars and Stripes with the explanation of each fold, Chapter #56 introduction, prayer, 21-Gun Salute and the playing of Taps by Rudy Arellano will close the ceremony.

Lopez said Chapter #56 members also participating in the ceremony will be David Garcia, Manuel Adame, John Campos, Henry Guevara, Gregory Garcia, Henry Aguilar, Henry Marin, Rudy Garcia, Fred Rodriguez, David E. Pressey, Manuel Salazar, William Duarte, Manuel Salazar, Gilbert Cabrera, Benjamin Espinosa, Fred Tepesano, Mike Hidalgo, Benito Lagos, Rudy Arellano, Benito Lagos, John Mora and George Silva.

Veterans Memorial Park is located at 970 E. Ventura St.; Lopez noted seating will be limited and those attending are encouraged to bring a chair.

Following the ceremony the KWVA Chapter 56 will be hosting a barbecue at Steckel Park (once inside at the Stone Cabin take the second entrance into the park) starting at noon; tickets are only $15 per person. 

“There will be plenty of good food, live music and good friends,” said Lopez.

For more information about the ceremony, floral tributes or barbecue call Lopez at 310-323-8481. 

The Korean War left the United States with 33,686 battle deaths, 2,830 non-battle deaths and 8,176 missing in action that later would be known as The Forgotten War. More than 1.2 million died on both sides of the battlefield in just three years, from June 1950 to July 1953 when the war ended. More than 103,000 Americans were also injured in the war believed to have left more than 1 million civilians dead.

The Korean Was a conflict between the Republic of Korea (South Korea), supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), at one time supported by the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union. It was primarily the result of the political division of Korea by an agreement of the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the Pacific War at the end of World War II. 

The Korean Peninsula was ruled by the Empire of Japan from 1910 until the end of World War II. Following the surrender of the Empire of Japan in September 1945, American administrators divided the peninsula along the 38th parallel, with U.S. military forces occupying the southern half and Soviet military forces occupying the northern half.

Although on July 27, 1953 the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Chinese People’s Volunteers and the UN signed an armistice agreement, ending the fighting, there has never been a peace treaty, so the Korean War has technically never ended.




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