The son of a Korean War veteran, John Yoon, approached 3 local veterans organizations with the idea to show appreciation for Korean War Veterans in the Hudson Valley. John’s father, Seung-Kook Yoon, who is 95 years old, was recently honored in Pyung Taek, Korea by the U.S. Army Camp Humphrey with a dedication of the main gate to him, named “Yoon Gate.”

The veteran organizations - Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Post 666, American Legion Post 203, and Marine Corps League Det. 861 thought having a dinner was a good idea, and hosted one on November 14, 2021 which was open to 100 people who RSVPed.

Said Harold Delamater, Commander of VFW Post 666 to the Beacon Free Press: “Seventy-one years have passed since the Korean War began and only a cease fire has been signed. Those veterans who engaged in combat with North Korea and the veterans who currently protect South Korea mean the difference between freedom and oppression.

As for an experience of a Korean veteran’s experience who served along side U. S. troops, John elaborated on his father to the Beacon Free Press as reported by Kristine Coulter:

“My father Seung-Kook Yoon is 95 years old and fought at the outbreak of the Korean War as a liaison officer with [U.S. troops from] Task Force Smith that had landed on Korean soil. Task Force Smith consisted of 540 soldiers of infantry and artillery, and was the first line of defense at Osan, Korea, and was important in military terms as a primary line of defense to interrupt North Korean troops heading south,” explained Yoon. “I was born in Seoul, Korea in 1961, eight years after the fighting had ended in 1953. Growing up, I remember my father telling me how difficult it was fighting back the North Korean tanks, how close he was of fighting together with the U.S. troops, and of his deep appreciation for the Korean War veterans who came to Korea to fight for its freedom.”

John continued: “As a Korean American living locally in the Hudson Valley, I look forward to the Korean War Veterans Appreciation Dinner as a way to express the deep appreciation we have to the soldiers who came to Korea 70 years ago and sacrificed fighting for the freedom of South Korea. People call the Korean War the ‘Forgotten War,’ but I would like to say it is not forgotten war as we the Korean people and its descendants remember vividly the valuable blood, tears and sacrifice that was made during the war.”

Up Next…

A Veterans lunch is scheduled for Sat November 20th beginning at 1:00pm at the Veterans Memorial Bldg Hall, at 413 Main St, Beacon. Look forward to ribs and all the fixins. Following lunch, at 2:30pm the Ballet Arts Studio dancers will perform in the hall. There is no charge for either event and all Veterans are encouraged to attend. RSVP 845-337-6509 or HGD1025@aol.com