The ceremony drew hundreds to La Jolla.
With color and deference, dignitaries and others gathered in gratitude for the “valor and sacrifice” of military service veterans ahead of Veterans Day.
Hundreds turned out for the annual event, held Nov 9 at the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial in La Jolla, which this year focused on remembering the Korean War, often called “The Forgotten War.”
The memorial, which for 70 years has honored veterans both living and deceased and now carries nearly 6,600 plaques, is the “result of veterans’ energies and ambitions and commitment,” said Neil O’Connell, executive director of the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association.
“As we stand here in the shadow of this historic site on this beautiful Veterans Day,” he said, “I’m deeply moved by the amount of folks here that came … together today [to] and pay tribute and celebrate.”
The Korean War “left an indelible mark on people here to … work harder,” O’Connell said.
“It is truly my honor to stand here today commemorating Veterans Day at this hallowed ground,” said Consul General for the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles Youngwan Kim.
The celebration is a “valuable opportunity to recognize the valor and sacrifice” of the veterans, Kim said.
“Veterans Day is very special for Korea and the Korean people,” he said, offering “profound gratitude and respect for the services and sacrifices of all veterans, particularly those who fought in the Korean War. When a horrific war broke out, … they stood up and came forward to the battleground, not only to defend our country, but also the values we hold dear: freedom, democracy and human rights.”
The Korean War “brought us tragedy, but it also showcased unwavering resolve [and] resilience,” Kim said. “The Korean War is not and will never be forgotten.”
“We send our tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Korean people,” said Woo Young Choi, who was six years old when his Korean village was invaded and razed.
Choi recalled his mother offering refugees a cramped place to stay while he rummaged through trash piles for food scraps.
The Mt. Soledad ceremony also unveiled a plaque commemorating the service of Korean War veterans, which will remain at the memorial.
“San Diego is a proud military town, and we come together today to pay our respects for the service and the sacrifices of our military veterans and their families; we salute them and we hold them in our hearts, particularly those who are still missing and those families who still await their return,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
“It’s about you, about the men and women, individual soldiers, … past and present, who are willing to risk all, and in many instances give all,” said keynote speaker Maj. Gen. Mark MacCarley of the US Army Reserve (Ret.). “That’s why we’re here.”
To the veterans in the audience, MacCarley said “I’m honored to render you a salute for what you are and what you did.”
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