The fighting men of the United States military that left their homes to fight a war and defend the country of South Korea were honored this Memorial Day in a public ceremony at Veteran’s Plaza at Mather. The veterans were paid tribute by a host of local dignitaries, officials and the Consul General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco, the Honorable SHIN, Chae-Hyan.

Dress in the crowd was purposely patriotic. Amid the red, white and blue ensembles, many sported caps shirts, vests and jackets displaying their veteran status and military affiliation. Uniforms ranged from Boy Scouts to kilts to Navy White Dress and veterans in Revolutionary garb, complete with tricorn hats.

Memorial Day 2017 marked the 11th Annual Memorial Day Service at Mather and this year’s ceremony was specifically in honor of United States veterans who served in Korea from the time the U.S. entered the war in 1950, to the conclusion in 1953, as well as those who remained until 1955 as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force.

While there were many hard-fought battles lost and won, members from the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps all served. One of the most memorable operations took place under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. Consisting mostly of Army soldiers and U.S. marines in the winter of 1950, that particular band of brothers inadvertently became what is commonly known as “the Frozen Chosin.” Surrounded by opposing forces in the Chosin Valley, officially recorded temperatures are known to have gone as low as minus 54 Fahrenheit.

After brief remarks from Rancho Cordova Mayor Donald Terry, other speakers included Congressman Ami Bera, Senator Ted Gaines, Assemblyman Ken Cooley, Deputy Secretary Theresa Gunn of the California Department of Veterans Affairs and Sacramento County Board of Supervisor Don Nottoli, and concluded with the key note speech of the Consul General and a presentation to the American veterans of certificates and medals on behalf of the Republic of Korea.

Rancho Cordova City Councilmember and ardent veterans’ advocate Bob McGarvey also gave some initial remarks, citing the ongoing improvements to the hospital and Veteran’s Plaza. “It is a humbling experience to stand before you today,” McGarvey said to the audience and referencing the historical significance that Veteran’s Plaza represents. “We’ve had men and women go around the world…to believe they were right to answer the call of duty,” he said.

Supervisor Don Nottoli spoke, invoking the memory of United States veterans and their families, “Lives lost, dreams never realized,” he said of the unnumbered sacrifices of our servicemen and women and their spouses and children who suffered their absence and all too often mourned their loss, and that we who enjoy life and liberty today should “not take for granted,” the cost paid for freedom. “Our fallen heroes knew full well that they were fighting for our freedom…Americans have stood for what is right and what is good. For that we owe them our everlasting gratitude.”

The concluding speech given by Consul General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco, the Honorable SHIN, Chae-Hyan were strong and to the point. After thanking the City of Rancho Cordova for the warm welcome extended to himself and his wife, he got right to the point. “You American have fought all around the world.” The United States military, he said, has given many people the opportunity for “new life” in the face of threat and oppression.

Regarding his own country, the Republic of Korea, he said quite simply, “You saved our lives. You defended and protected our liberty and freedom.”

The Consul General went on tell the assembly that by the end of the war, his country was “in ashes,” but they have spent decades rebuilding their culture, infrastructure and strengthening their government and diplomatic ties with the United States. The Republic of Korea and the United States, he said have an allegiance. To the assembled veterans of the Korean War and on behalf of his grateful nation he said of this relationship between the two countries, “This alliance was forged in your blood.”

The Honorable SHIN, Chae-Hyan and his wife then presented medals and certificates to individually to each Korean War veteran. The medals awarded are unique. According to a spokesperson for the City of Rancho Cordova, “The Ambassador for Peace Medal Ceremony specifically is an opportunity for the Korean Government to pay tribute to local U.S. Korean War Veterans.”

The event, which had been interspersed with stirring music by Rancho Cordova’s River City Orchestra, concluded with a fly-over of vintage military planes trailing colored smoke to mark the occasion and an exceptional performance by bagpipe player and Army veteran Rob Roy who played “Amazing Grace.” The orchestra’s final piece was a rousing rendition of “God Bless America,” to which the crowd enthusiastically sang along.