Winning the War, Keeping the Peace
On Saturday, June 21, at 2:00 p.m., the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas and the Korea Center of Greenville will host a Korean War 75th Anniversary Ceremony in Brevard, NC. The ceremony will honor the 1.8 million Americans who fought in Korea during that brutal three-year war, as well as the 2.5 million U.S. service members who have deployed to South Korea to keep the peace since the end of the war to today.
The ceremony will also honor the resilient people of South Korea, who suffered an existential threat but persevered and prevailed, going on to build one of the world’s most vibrant economies and democratic societies. The U.S.–South Korea Alliance (military, economic, and political) is among the most longstanding and successful of international relationships.
The Korean War was one of the most destructive conflicts in history. During its three-year duration (1950-1953), every major Korean city was devastated, and an estimated 2½-3 million people perished. It was the first military action of the Cold War, pitting the Communist forces of North Korea, China, and the Soviet Union against the United States and 20 other member-countries of the United Nations. Nearly 37,000 Americans lost their lives defending South Korea, and more than one million South Koreans (civilian and military) died as a result of intense battles and many months of attrition warfare.
The Korean War 75th Anniversary Ceremony
The Korean War 75th Anniversary Ceremony will be held at Ingram Auditorium on the campus of Brevard College.
The ceremony will feature speaker presentations as well as Korean cultural performances.
Two featured speakers will convey the unique perspectives of a Korean youth who survived the war and an American military professional who later served in Korea to help keep the peace.
Featured Speakers
Dr. Peter S. Yun is a retired economics professor from the University of Virginia. He will speak on the topic “A Boy Who Survived the War”. As an abandoned child in war-torn Korea, Yun was “adopted” by a U.S. Army heavy mortar company and accompanied that unit in combat as a camp assistant for two years. Following the war he served in the Korean Air Force. He later was brought to America by a U.S. Air Force chaplain. Yun earned three degrees from American universities and has contributed a life of service as an educator and ordained minister.
Lt. Gen. John M. Brown III, U.S. Army (Ret.), is a Silver Star recipient who has served as Commander of U.S. Army Pacific. He will speak on the topic “Reflections on the U.S.-South Korea Alliance”. Brown served on the Korean DMZ as Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 38th Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division. His command experience also included assignments in Germany, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Honduras, and Alaska. He later served as Chief of Staff and Dean of Administration at the National Defense University.
Recognition of Korean War veterans
The ceremony will highlight the recognition of Korean War veterans currently residing in Western North Carolina and the Greenville, South Carolina area. Messages of respect and gratitude will be conveyed by Maureen Copelof, Mayor of Brevard and Larry Chapman, Transylvania County Commissioner.
Korean Culture
In addition to honoring veterans, the ceremony will share examples of Korean culture. Traditional Korean drummers will welcome guests. Following the speakers, two performances have been arranged by Ms. Sara Yoon of the Korea Center of Greenville, SC. The Korea School Children’s Choir will sing the captivating melody Arirang, which anyone who has visited Korea will cherish. And the Korean Dance Team of Atlanta will perform the exquisite Korean Fan Dance.
A speakers’ reception will conclude the event, including Korea finger-food catered by Stone Bowl House Restaurant in Brevard.
Korean War Remembrance Ceremony Recap
Date:
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Time:
2:00–3:30 p.m.
Venue:
Ingram Auditorium, Dunham Hall (signage on campus will guide you)
1 Brevard College Drive
Brevard, NC 28712
Admission:
Free (including complimentary Korean finger-food)
Gregory J. Ehr – Guest Post Author
I will be forwarding this to my KWVA, Chapter 314 members as well as to Samuel Chu who is planning an event in Charlotte on 6/25.