REMAINS OF OUR KOREAN WAR HEROES FINALLY COME HOME

To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan.” President Abraham Lincoln

On June 25, 1950, the Korean War began when some 75,000 soldiers from the North Korean People’s Army poured across the 38th parallel, the boundary between the Soviet-backed Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the north and the pro-Western Republic of Korea to the south. This invasion was the first military action of the Cold War. By July, American troops had entered the war o

n South Korea’s behalf. As far as American officials were concerned, it was a war against the forces of international communism itself. After some early back-and-forth across the 38th parallel, the fighting stalled, and casualties mounted with nothing to show for them.  In all, some 5 million soldiers and civilians lost their lives during the war.

After 65 years, the remains of an unknown number of US soldiers killed in the Korean war have been handed over by North Korea. About 7,700 US soldiers are listed as missing from the Korean war, and 5,300 of the remains are believed to still be in North Korea. Between 1996 and 2005, joint US-North Korea military search teams conducted 33 recovery operations that collected 229 sets of American remains. The last time North Korea turned over remains was in 2007. The war killed millions, including 36,000 American soldiers. Pyongyang (Capital of North Korea) had been expected to return about 55 sets of remains from the 1950-53 Korean war, a step meant to fulfil a commitment made by Kim Jong Un (Leader of North Korea) during his summit with Donald Trump in June. 2018 marks the 65th anniversary of the armistice that ended fighting in the Korean war. North Korea celebrates it as the day of “victory in the fatherland liberation war” (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/).

soldiers salute as vehicles carry away the remains. Photograph: Pool/Getty Images

 

 

 

DKWF 2015 Scholarship Winners TEST

Immediate Release – DKWF 2015 Scholarship Winners

The Descendants of Korean War Foundation (DKWF) announced the winners of four scholarships awarded in honor of the four Congressional members who served in the Korean War. The DKWF Scholarships were established to provide financial assistance for descendants of U.S. veterans who served in the Korean War.

“Korean War veterans, their families and communities should be proud of these young, talented students rewarded for their academic excellence and for their exceptional leadership potential. These bright young students will make significant contribution to the society and will serve in leadership roles in the future,” said Justin C. Rhee, President of DKWF. Dr. Ruth Starr, Chair of the 2015 DKWF Scholarship Committee, said, “The committee would like to thank all the applicants for the high quality historical research and writing exhibited in the essay stories. DKWF acknowledges all applicants as winners for their accomplishments.”

For the 2015 academic year DKWF scholarship, eligible students were required to show proof enrolled in a U.S. accredited college or university as a degree seeking student or a high school senior who will attend college. Selection criteria includes their academic and leadership achievement, personal merit, letters of recommendation, and a short essay about their family member who served in the Korean War. We are pleased to award four $500 scholarships to the following students:

The Sam Johnson Public Service Scholarship Award
Lorenda Reyes of Ft. Worth, TX

The John Conyers Jr. Public Service Scholarship Award
Hanna Jean Sundt of Farmington, MN

The Howard Coble Public Service Scholarship Award
Frank Styers III of Wilmington, NC

The Charles B. Rangel Public Service Scholarship Award
Katherine Rathgeber of Las Cruces, NM

DKWF would like to recognize eleven finalists. The finalists are:

Ruby Callahan of San Luis Obispo, CA
Sean Carlin of Charolotte, NC
Jonathan Cobb of Victor, NY
Eben Cowger of Upton, NY
Molly Gilroy of Cincinnati, OH
Andrew Graham of Montgomery, AL
Zachary Jacobellis of Danbury, CT
Jill Koval of Mooresville, IN
Jonathan Rawley of Canton, OH
Sarah Stone of Manasquan, NJ
Nicholas Tejada of Waco, TX

For further information or to make contribution toward scholarship, please contact

Dr. Ruth Starr, Chair of the 2015 DKWF Scholarship Committee at

Exec.Board@DescendantsofKoreanWar.Org.

Soldiers