Vets thanked at Rose of Sharon Festival

Korean-Americans vow to continue the close relationship they have forged over the years

Saturday, June 24, 2006

By GLENN NYBACK

ADVANCE STAFF WRITER

Reflecting on the freedom that soldiers of the Korean War fought to secure, veterans and native Koreans gathered yesterday in Wolfe's Pond Park to mark the annual Rose of Sharon Festival.

"My father was one of the people you freed," said Master David Kim, of Dragon Kim Karate USA, referring to Jhong Uhk Kim, an Emerson Hill resident and founder of the dojo.

"He was able to come to this country because of you. Freedom is not free. It's people's sacrifice, like yours, that allows us to be here."

About 20 veterans from the Alan F. Kivlehan chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association joined the Korean American Association of Staten Island and City Councilman Andrew Lanza (R-South Shore) to pay homage to those who served during the war.

"More than 50 years ago, Americans went halfway around the world...to stand up against the evil forces of oppression that sought to take liberty away," Lanza said. "You have secured our future for us. We are extremely fortunate."

The rose of Sharon is South Korea's national flower. It represents immortality because it is remarkably tenacious and is able to withstand harsh weather and insects.

Chu Suk Bang, president of the Korean American Association, said he hopes the friendship between Koreans and Americans will "last forever."

"Korean-Americans will do our best to continue our relationship and friendship and to honor the sacrifice [you made] during the Korean War," he said.

Joseph Calabria, president of the Kivlehan chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association, said it's important to remember the sacrifice the veterans made.

"War is hell," he said. "The men here know what it's like to be on the battlefield."

During the ceremony, Rosemarie O'Neill, principal of Barnes Intermediate School, Great Kills, and the school's PTA were honored with the Ambassador of Peace medal for their charitable work in helping victims of the December 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, survivors of Hurricane Katrina last August and soldiers in Iraq and student families in need.

The Red Storm Drum & Dance Troupe, a Native-American educational and performance group from Elm Park, and members of Dragon Kim Karate USA, New Dorp, also gave demonstrations during the 45-minute event.

Glenn Nyback is a news reporter for the Advance. He may be reached at nyback@siadvance.com.

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