Today our nation pays tribute veterans who fought for freedom in the Korean War. The presidential proclamation that follows marks today, July 27, 2009, as NATIONAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY.
My dad, Ronald D. Rankin, was a proud Marine, a Korean War veteran and survivor of the epic Battle of Chosin Reservoir. To quote B. L. Kortegarard in his writings of the Battle of Chosin,
"...the fighting withdrawal of the 1st Marine Division was one of the proudest actions in the history of the entire Marine Corps. More, it shows what all Americans are capable of, when properly trained for combat, and properly led."
This photo of my dad was taken when he was 20 years old. He survived to live a life of service. His tireless efforts on behalf of veterans culminated in the Kootenai County Ronald D. Rankin Veteran's Memorial Plaza. Semper Fi, daddy.
NATIONAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY, 2009
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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Fifty-six years after the signing of the Military Armistice Agreement at Panmunjom, Americans remain grateful for the courage and sacrifice of our Korean War veterans. More than 600,000 United States and allied combatants lost their lives in Korea during the 3 years of bitter warfare that ended on July 27, 1953. Many were also injured, taken as prisoners of war, and missing in action. These dedicated servicemen and women, under the banner of the United Nations, fought to secure the blessings of freedom and democracy on the Korean Peninsula, and they deserve our unending respect and gratitude.
Every day we are reminded of the selfless service of these veterans. The Korean War Veterans Memorial stands in our Nation's Capital as an enduring tribute to them. Marching among juniper bushes and rows of granite, Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen silently remind all who glimpse their faces of the great challenges that so many Americans overcame. The strong partnership between the United States and the Republic of Korea is also a proud testament to our men and women in uniform.
Today we remember and honor the valor of Korean War veterans and the extraordinary sacrifices that they and their families made in the cause of peace.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim July 27, 2009, as National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities that honor and give thanks to our distinguished Korean War veterans. I also ask Federal departments and agencies and interested groups, organizations, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff on July 27, 2009, in memory of the Americans who died as a result of their service in Korea.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
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Janna, what a wonderful post, and your dad was some kind of man, wow! To have the memorial named after him tells me he was some special guy!
To all our Korean vets, thank you.
Janna,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful observance. This is a fitting post for this group. :)
Steve
Janna,
Due to the special nature of your post and the way you have written it, it is now featured at "Observances and Celebrations." Congratulations. :)
Steve
Thanks Andrea and Steve, for your kind words. And thank you for the feature Steve! Today I received this email in response to this blog post. Very heart warming. Thank you Chiho Lew! What an amazing world we live in!
From: Chiho Lew
Subject: Let me show respect to your Dad who passed away in 2004 (Sent via Activerain)
Dear Ms Janna Rnakin Scharf;
It is so nice of you to remember you Dad, who participated in the Korean War bravely for the freedom, on the occasion of the National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day on July 29, 2009. I am sending you this my warm message upon making a cyber journey to the Ronald D. Rankin Veterans Memorial Plaza with the uniformed nice looking gentleman standing majestically whom I guess is your proud Dad.
Chiho Lew
Yongin city, South Korea
Janna,
Nice post. Lest we forget. And thank you Steve, for posting it on your group.