More than 150 people gathered at Hillcrest Park in Fullerton on June 25 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Korean War. The event took place at the Korean War Veterans Memorial, with participation from the Consulate General of Korea in Los Angeles, the Korean War Veterans Association Western Chapter, the OC Korean War Memorial Committee, and the Hwarang Youth Foundation.
Major General Juan Mora, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army’s 40th Infantry Division, acknowledged the unit’s past and future commitment. “From 1952 to 1953, 376 of our soldiers died in combat,” he said. “But if called again, we will answer. We are always ready to fight for freedom.”
The 40th Infantry Division, which participated in key battles during the war, also helped establish Gapyeong High School in Korea. To this day, division members attend its graduation ceremonies, maintaining ties with the Korean community.
A special guest at the event was Ismael Heredia Torres (age 97), a Puerto Rican Korean War veteran invited by the memorial committee. “The Korean War was a fight for democracy,” said Torres. “I’m proud to have fought for Korea with my fellow Puerto Rican soldiers.”
The committee awarded $3,000 scholarships to six descendants of Puerto Rican veterans, and presented a $3,000 honorary gift to Torres.
One recipient, Alanis Delgado Seo, who is of Korean and Puerto Rican descent, spoke on behalf of the honorees. “My grandfather fought for freedom and democracy in a distant land,” she said. “I’m grateful for this recognition, and it means even more because my mother is Korean.”
Yoonsook Park, Chair of the Korean War Memorial Committee, explained the motivation behind the scholarships: “We wanted to show these descendants that Korea has not forgotten them. I hope this helps them recognize the greatness of their ancestors.”
Los Angeles City Councilmember Heather Hutt, who represents District 10, including Koreatown, also attended the event. Her father, the late Donald Hutt, was a Korean War veteran who passed away on June 6, 2007.
During her remarks, Hutt paused emotionally. “I’m reminded of my father,” she said. Speaking afterward, she added, “If my father were alive today, he’d be around the same age as the veterans here. Seeing their strength brings back memories.” She also noted, “From a young age, I learned the values of freedom and democracy from him.”
Diplomats from several United Nations allied nations, including Turkey, Canada, and Thailand, joined the event alongside representatives from the Korean consulate.
Sinan Kuzum, Consul General of Turkey, said, “After the U.S., Turkey sent the second-largest number of troops to Korea. Korea is our blood ally.”
Jae-Hak Lee, President of the Korean War Veterans Association Western Chapter, added, “We deeply honor the veterans who fought alongside us. We will never forget the sacrifices of our allied brothers who shed blood on foreign soil.”
Amid the honors, a sense of solemnity lingered due to the veterans’ increasing age. Roman Morales (age 92), a veteran in attendance, said, “Thank you for not forgetting us. As General Douglas MacArthur once said, ‘Old soldiers never die—they just fade away.’ I, too, am slowly fading.”
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
