On June 25, the 64th Anniversary of the start of the Korean War, the Korean War Veterans Appreciation Dinner was once again held at the Golden Gate Grill in San Francisco. Close to 150 people, including 60 Korean War veterans and their spouses and guests, attended the festive event sponsored by the Korean War Memorial Foundation (KWMF). Good food, wine, and conversation; the renewal of old friendships and the beginning of new ones; and first-rate live musical entertainment all contributed to a very memorable evening.
The guests enjoying the food and music
The event is always free of charge for all Korean War vets and their guests. Man J. Kim, KWMF Vice President and owner of the Golden Gate Grill, deserves the lion’s share of the credit for this annual get-together. He plans and organizes it, supervises his capable and hard-working staff, and coordinates the musical artists and performances. More significantly, as the dinner’s host, he absorbs the entire cost of the event himself, as he has so generously done every year for more than a decade now.
KWMF Vice President Man J. Kim and his wife Jeong A. Kim
The purpose of the dinner, as its title indicates, is to show appreciation to all Korean War veterans for the sacrifices they made more than sixty years ago in defense of South Korea’s freedom – sacrifices that have made possible today’s democratic and prosperous Republic of Korea. This gratitude was reinforced by Consul General Han Dong-man, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco. He presented every Korean War veteran in attendance with a personalized certificate of appreciation and a special Ambassador for Peace Medal prepared by his Government.
KWMF Secretary and Korean War veteran John Stevens just after receiving his Ambassador for Peace Medal from Consul General Han Dong-man
Next year’s Annual Appreciation Dinner will be held on June 25, 2015. Any Korean War veteran who would like to attend should get on the mailing list by providing his full contact details to Gerard Parker, KWMF, at gvparker@kwmf.org, or 415 750 3862. People who want to donate to the Memorial may do so by emailing or phoning Mr. Parker, or by visiting the KWMF website, www.kwmf.org/donate/
Consul General Han Dong-man (R) and KWMF Treasurer and Korean War veteran Donald Reid
Photos courtesy of Sunita Maharjan and Korean Consulate General