Our young members recently took part in the 75th Korean War Commemoration Ceremony at the Korean War Memorial in Craig Park, Fullerton. In this unique event, love of nation and love of neighbors were profoundly lived out, and bringing people from various generations together was perhaps one of the most moving aspects of the day. The Korean War, also commonly referred to as “The Forgotten War,” was once again highlighted, reminding everyone of the cost of that time. Our involvement became a symbol of great strength in our obligation to respect history and maintain the peace and harmony gained through the sacrifices of others.
Preparations for this important ceremony saw us, as a youth group, practice two songs, namely “전우여 잘자라” and “6.25의 노래.” The youth devoted their time and energy to numerous rehearsals prior to the live event with committed passion. When the day finally came and we performed before the Korean War veterans — soldiers who fought for our nation — their faces erupted into wide grins, ear-to-ear smiles. That also made a lasting impression on me. Watching their reaction, open to appreciation, made me grin just as wide. As teen leaders ourselves, we felt honored to be paying homage to an inheritance that is precious to us, specifically our Korean American heritage.
Honoring the Sacrifice, Embracing the Legacy
These veterans, having only a few years before not known where Korea was, left their nation to fight for a small country in danger. They volunteered to help keep the peace between the North and South, warding off North Korean forces and keeping South Korean borders secure. From those bloody battles—with sweat, blood, and tears—emerged a rich, developed Korea. Their sacrifices allowed Korea to become as strong a nation as it is today, and we were looking at it with thankful hearts.
I believe this event was an eye-opener for all of our members. We caught a glimpse of the day when Korea wasn’t as polished and successful as it is today. Those brave soldiers decided to journey there and fight for freedom, and what they accomplished left their mark. Their determination, from beginning to end, revealed to us a work of love that shaped the world in which we now live. It warmed our hearts to see the incredible efforts they made, even when the outcome was uncertain.
Carrying the Torch Forward
Beginning with the mayor of Fullerton, Fred Jung, he also contributed to the event and provided a few words of inspiration, and some veterans rose to give speeches about their experiences as middle-aged men sent all over the world to help protect Korea’s freedom. As one of our veterans said, “May war never return to this land again,” listening to their experiences gave me chills, from my arms down to my back. Then I realized that this is the type of inspiration we, the younger generation, are probably bringing. Without guns in our pockets, we can struggle for progress and justice in concrete terms. By simply being who we are, observing real-world problems, making our voices heard, and trying to play a role in solving issues, we can bring about change.
The soft words they left us with brought to mind the very nasty cost of war — sacrifice and destruction — but also the power and strength of the human spirit.
Together as a whole, it was an invitation for all of us to come in and connect with Korea’s past. It was replete with universal sentiments and honored the bravery of those gallant soldiers, bringing us each one step closer to our heritage. Most of all, it taught us an important lesson: recalling the past and acknowledging the people who came before us can help build a more empathetic and cohesive future. We don’t have to fight on the field, but we are the ones who are carrying the torch. And by carrying the torch from one generation to the next, we keep the flame burning — and their legacy continues.
<Yena Lily Lee Student Reporter>Orange County School of TheArts yenalee530@gmail.com
