Veteran’s Day Wreath Laying Ceremony Speech
Gen. James D. Thurman, commander United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea salutes during the Veterans of Foreign Wars Veterans Day wreath laying ceremony at the 8th Army Korean War Memorial, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan Nov. 11, 2011. (photo by Sgt. 1st Class Luiz Lazzara)
Gen. James D. Thurman,
Commander United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea
Veteran’s Day Wreath Laying Ceremony, Nov. 11, 2011
8th Army Korean War Memorial, USAG-Yongsan
Well, good morning everyone. It is indeed an honor for me to stand in the formation with all this wonderful men and women, who have dedicated their service to their countries. This is a special day and we shall never ever forget why we all assemble on the 11th of November to remember our veterans; less we never for forget.
Mr. Tokola, Gen. Kwon, Adm. Kim, Vice-President of the Korean Veterans Association, Mr. Barry Hirshbein, Commander, Department of Pacific Areas, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Mr. Patrick “Doc” Higgins, Commander, District 3-Korea, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Fellow General and Flag Officers, Sergeants Major, honored guests, and Ladies and Gentlemen. Today is a very special day, thank you for being here. It is a day when we take time out to recognize the selfless service and sacrifices of America’s war veterans.
Today we honor the young men and women who, throughout the history of our nation, answered their nation’s call in the times of need. They fought for the United States from the time of the Revolutionary War, through two World Wars and the Cold War, including one of the nastiest and most brutal wars in this republic, the Republic of Korea, to fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq today. And we must not forget what we learned in Vietnam. Many of you here today served there. When the country asked “who will go” these men and women raised their right hand and said, “Send Me. Send me. I will stand up and serve my country with honor and I will defend the values of freedom and democracy.”
Today we stand in a place that was once the scene of some of the toughest fighting our young men and women ever experienced. We are at our 8th Army War Memorial. It recognizes tremendous struggle for freedom that American, Korean, Allied soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines waged against totalitarian aggression. They preserved the freedom and liberty of the Republic of Korea and enabled it to become the great country that it is today. We are especially honored to be joined by Korean War Veterans today… Mr. Kurt Dressler, Major (Retired) Ben Delahunty, Major General (Retired) Ryu, and especially Mr. Choi the sole remaining member of the commando team that played a key role during the Inchon landing by turning on the lights in the lighthouse to guide the ships of the landing force to the objective. You know just yesterday, Gen. Kwan and I were going to make a trip out to PY-do Island. And as I was riding in this helicopter, and we crossed through Inchon, I was sitting there thinking and reflecting on how difficult this may have been, and what it meant to our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who were fighting side-by-side with their ROK counterparts. And I also reflected on how fortunate we are today that we have a Republic of Korea that has done so well as a result of having peace and stability on this peninsula. So I’m very thankful for those veterans who served during that time to make this event today possible, that we can come out and we can think about, and reflect on what this all means to us. So what I would like to do is give these veterans that have served so nobly, so honorably, in defense of freedom and their country. Let’s give them a round of applause. Thank you very much.
I also ask that we take time today to recognize our veterans that are serving today. These men and women are currently deployed here in Korea and around the world, serving their country defending freedom. Just as the generations who have gone before them, they do so away from family and friends, in austere facilities, fighting through sweltering heat and bone-chilling cold. They continue to do so in the best traditions of our military services and those who went before us. I would like to give them a round of applause and say thanks to them for continuing to serve today.
I would also like to extend special thanks to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Boy and Girl Scouts for making today’s ceremony possible. It is great to see those who have served their country and continue to serve their communities through the great work the Veterans of Foreign Wars does and what it represents; my sincere thanks to you. Also, it is heart-warming to see this younger generation. As I look over the crowd here and I see youngsters that are getting the true meaning of patriotism. And it just does me proud to see these young children that are sitting here today, seeing what I did back in 1960, in the late 50s with my grandfather and my father who taught me about patriotism and what the meaning of freedom is, and the meaning of service to nation. So it is just great to see you all here, and thanks to you and God bless you.
I want to thank the United Nations Command Honor Guard; you look excellent as always and superbly represent your fellow warriors. So, once again thank you for joining us today to take time and reflect on the 11th of November and the true meaning of Veterans Day. It is my true honor to serve in this country. So may God be with each and every one of you today.
Kam–sa-ham-ni-da, Katchi Kapshida.