HARRISBURG – August 21, 2020 – Seventy-one area veterans of the Korean War have been awarded the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal from U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, state Sen. Michele Brooks and state Rep. Mark Longietti.
An awards ceremony honoring the veterans had been planned for late March, but the COVID-19 outbreak forced the ceremony’s cancellation. The medals were sent to veterans’ homes yesterday, along with a letter of gratitude from the elected officials.
Created by the Korean Consul General to recognize and thank our veterans for serving in what is often called “the Forgotten War,” the Medal is awarded to veterans who served in Korea from June 25, 1950 through July 27, 1953. Members of the U.S. Navy were also eligible if they served aboard a naval vessel that was assigned to Korean waters during this timeframe, along with veterans who participated in United Nations’ peacekeeping efforts in Korea until the end of 1955.
“Pennsylvania’s Korean War veterans bravely served our country and it’s an honor for my office to recognize these heroes with the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal,” said Senator Toomey. “For over half a century, many of these veterans have been unsung heroes. I encourage all Korean War veterans to contact my office for more information on the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal.”
Sen. Brooks added, “Our Korean War veterans can never forget their memories of the ‘Forgotten War’ –the frostbite, the monsoon mud, the crowded foxholes, the distance from home. We have not forgotten either. Here in northwestern Pennsylvania, we continue to be grateful and proud Americans, living in the greatest nation on earth, because of the sacrifices of our troops, and we continue to honor their service, salute their courage, and pledge to never, ever forget.”
“So many of our Korean War veterans – including 75,000 right here in Pennsylvania – are unsung heroes whose courage and endurance prevented a North Korean takeover despite fierce opposition and brutal conditions,” Rep. Longietti said. “Although the pandemic forced us to cancel plans for a personal award ceremony, it is great to know that our area’s veterans receiving these medals at home are finally getting the recognition they deserve for their valor.”
Contact: Diane McNaughton, Sen. Brooks (717) 787-1322 dmmcnaughton@pasen.gov
Liane Leshne, Rep. Longietti (978) 549-1868 lleshne@pahouse.net