Consul General Seo, Eunji (R) presents the Korean Ambassador for Peace medal to Oregon Governor Tina Kotek in honor of her father Jerry A. Kotek, a Korean War veteran.

Don Cohen, one of the founders of the Korean War Memorial, reminds us of an important lesson from the Korean War.

Over 400 guests attended the event on Saturday, July 29, 2023.

The Oregon Elders Choir performs under the direction of Sok-Tu Kim

Ambassador for Peace Medals given to eleven Korean War Veterans - July 2023.

Brett Bender, son of Korean War veteran Keith N. Bender, receives the Ambassador for Peace medal (posthumously) for his father. On this day, too, Keith’s brothers Wayne Bender and Gene Bender, were awarded the Medal, received by their nephew Brett.

Ha-Sung Park, Korean War veteran, receives the Ambassador for Peace Medal from Consul General Seo, Eunji at the commemoration.

Representatives from KWVA-Oregon Trail, KWMFO, the City of Wilsonville and the Korean Consulate in Seattle pose for a photo after a wonderful commemoration.

Korean War veteran Thomas Fujii is honored to receive the Ambassador for Peace Medal from Consul General Seo, Eunji.

(L to R) David Penaflor, President of KWVA-Oregon Trail Chapter, Malinda Buckles of “Remembering America’s Heroes,” and Jung Gee “James” Hong, Chair of the Korean American Seniors Association, lead the singing of the National Anthems and the Pledge of Allegiance at the event.

Terry Schrick, Chaplain for the Korean War Veterans Association - Oregon Trail Chapter, speaks with a Korean War veteran at the event.

Korean War veterans Byung Moon Lee (left) and Bruce Wickward (right) exchange greetings at a Memorial event.

Heon Soo Kim, President of the Korean Society of Oregon, thanks the Korean War veterans and their families for the service and sacrifice they provided Korea during the War.

Individuals and organizations that have given to the "Donor Brick" program can have their names, or the name of a veteran or a loved one, engraved on a brick. engraved.

Photo of the recipients of the Ambassador for Peace Medal with their family members.

Kelly Fitzpatrick, Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, speaks at the event. She served in South Korea.

Senator John Lim jokes with Susan Cox, Honorary Consul for the Republic of Korea in Southern Oregon, about being a houseboy for U.S. soldiers during the Korean War.

Robert Lorenz, a new and proud member of the KWVA-Oregon Trail Chapter and a Korean War veteran, receives the Ambassador for Peace medal from Consul General Seo, Eunji.

Chuck Lusardi, Korean War veteran and seven-time President of the KWVA-Oregon Trail Chapter, talks of his experiences in Korea and the meaningful relationships since with the Korean community in Oregon

Guests visit the preview of the Korean War Memorial Interpretive Center and peruse entry panels and archives from the War.

Senator James Manning, who served in Korea as a Defense Veteran, addresses the guests. He is an strong advocate for veterans in the Statee of Oregon.

Mark Washington poses with Consul General Seo, Eunji after receiving the Ambassador for Peace Medal given in honor his father, Duane Washington, a Korean War veteran.

Representatives from KWVA-OT, KSO, City of Wilsonville, Consulate General of the R.O.K. in Seattle, KAKWVO, and KWFMO present wreaths in memory of those lost in the War and in the years since.

Mayor Julie Fitzgerald welcomes the guests to Wilsonville and spoke of her son’s service as a Defense Veteran in Korea.

Llouise Blackwell, wife of Korean War veteran Robert Franklin Blackwell, receives the Ambassador for Peace medal (posthumously) for her husband. Consul General Seo, Eunji proudly presents the medal from the government of the R.O.K.

Bill Wright, Korean War veteran, receives the Ambassador for Peace Medal from Consul General Seo, Eunji at the event.

Consul General Seo, Eunji poses with the recipients of the Ambassador for Peace Medals in front of the Oregon Koran War Memorial.

Consul General Seo, Eunji (R) proudly presents the Ambassador for Peace Medal (posthumously) to John Calvin Lewis. The medal is received by his daughter Jill Lilithcleopatra.

Volunteers for the event (L to R): Charles Yu of the Korean American Coalition; Jenny Kim, Secretary-Treasurer of KWMFO, and Jin Park, former chair and current board member of KWMFO.

Richard Rye, First Vice President of the KWVA-Oregon Trail Chapter, reads the POW/MIA Remembrance to the assembled guests at the 70th Anniversary event.