"Our Daily Lives Owe to the Sacrifice and Devotion of Patriotic Spirits" Gyeongnam Province Holds Memorial Day Ceremony

Gyeongsangnam-do held the 69th Memorial Day ceremony at the Changwon Memorial Tower on the morning of the 6th.

This year's ceremony, held under the theme "Living Patriotism in Everyday Life, Patriotism for All," was attended by Governor Park Wansu, Gyeongnam Superintendent of Education Park Jonghun, National Assembly members Heo Seongmu and Kim Jongyang, representatives from veterans' organizations, independence patriots, war veterans, and around 1,000 local residents.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (center), is observing a moment of silence in sync with the siren sounding for Memorial Day. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

The ceremony began with a moment of silent tribute in sync with the sirens that sounded nationwide at 10 a.m.

The proceedings included the national pledge, floral tribute, incense offering, memorial address, cello performance of a memorial song, recitation of a tribute poem and a letter of gratitude, and group singing of the Memorial Song.

Kim Hyogyeong, daughter-in-law of the late Private Lee Jongtae, who died in the Korean War and president of the Changwon Recitation Literature Society, recited the tribute poem "The Spirit Becomes a Star." Bae Seonga, a cellist from the Changwon City Symphony Orchestra, performed Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise."

Thirty members of the Changwon High School Junior ROTC joined Superintendent Park in laying flowers, offering incense, and observing a moment of silence. Kim Minhyeok, a second-year student at Changwon High School, read a letter of gratitude as the student representative.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, left a memorial message in the guestbook at the Changwon Memorial Tower. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

Governor Park left a message in the Memorial Tower guestbook, writing, "I hope that the nation stands upright, the people unite, and Gyeongnam prospers."

In his memorial address, he stated, "The everyday lives of 3.3 million Gyeongnam residents today are thanks to the sacrifice and dedication of each and every patriotic spirit resting here," and added, "I hope that at least on Memorial Day, we honor all of them as heroes and use this time to pledge not to repeat the painful history."

He continued, "Amid growing generational and social conflicts, I believe it is more important than ever for postwar generations to empathize with the meaning of patriotism," and pledged, "Gyeongnam-do will do its utmost to honor the fallen patriots and patriotic spirits, and on the foundation of properly honoring those who dedicated themselves to the nation and community, we will build a hopeful future."

In recognition of June as the Month of Patriots and Veterans, Gyeongnam-do plans to visit national merit recipients who are still undergoing hospital treatment due to their sacrifices for the country, and to hold battlefield pilgrimage events for Korean War veterans and bereaved families of fallen soldiers.