Awarding Peace Medals and Expressing Gratitude to New Zealand Veterans
Business Agreement Between Auckland Korean Association and UN Peace Village
Honoring the Sacrifice of New Zealand Veterans with a Visit to the Korean Memorial Garden
New Zealand veterans and the Auckland Korean Association (UN Peace Village Volunteer Group) are taking a commemorative photo together.
The United Nations Peace Village Association and the Auckland Korean Association hosted a commemorative event on Saturday, the 19th, inviting veterans of the Korean War (6.25) to honor their service.
The event took place at the Auckland Korean Association Hall in New Zealand, with Daniel Herlihy, president of the New Zealand Veterans Association, and 33 veterans attending, adding deeper significance to the occasion.
The program was divided into two parts. The first part was opened by Kim Seong-hee, Secretary General of the Federation of Korean Associations in New Zealand, who served as the MC. After a thanksgiving prayer by Pastor Ok Jae-bu, Jeong In-su, president of the United Nations Peace Village, delivered a message of gratitude. This was followed by celebratory performances including an Arirang guitar performance and a fan dance by Yoon Gyo-jin, Senior Vice President of the Federation of Korean Associations in New Zealand. Then, Lee Ok-ran, director of the United Nations Peace Village, awarded peace medals to the veterans in recognition of their contributions.
In his welcoming remarks, Hong Seung-pil, president of the Federation of Korean Associations in New Zealand, expressed, "We extend our deepest gratitude to the veterans and their families. Thanks to your noble sacrifices, we enjoy peace and freedom today. We will continue to uphold this spirit and work together for peace and harmony."
Oh Chang-min, chairman of the New Zealand chapter of the National Unification Advisory Council, encouraged the attendees by saying, "Your dedicated service will be the cornerstone of peace. We wish you success in all your endeavors."
Ku Man-ok, president of the Korean Women's Association for National Unification, stated, "It is a great honor to attend this event. Especially, the Korean War photographs donated by President Daniel Herlihy will remain important materials in the future, and we will never forget the dedication of the veterans."
Jeong In-su, president of the United Nations Peace Village, said, "Thanks to your noble sacrifices, Korea was able to rise from the ruins of war and grow into a proud nation contributing to world peace and helping countries in hardship. We sincerely thank the veterans and their families."
During the medal awarding ceremony, Lee Ok-ran, director of the United Nations Peace Village, expressed, "We deeply regret not visiting the veterans sooner. However, we are very pleased that Korean society has not forgotten to express gratitude and is able to visit you, even if belatedly. We will live sharing this gratitude going forward."
Veteran Daniel Herlihy responded with a thank-you message, saying, "We deeply appreciate that the veterans are not forgotten and are remembered."
The United Nations Peace Village Association and the Auckland Korean Association are signing a memorandum of understanding.
The second part of the event began with a dinner prayer by Pastor Shin Geum-yong, followed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Auckland Korean Association and the United Nations Peace Village Association. Through this agreement, they pledged to cooperate not only in supporting Korean War veterans but also in serving together for global freedom, peace, and harmony.
This event was sponsored by the Federation of Korean Associations in New Zealand, the National Unification Advisory Council, and the Korea Freedom Federation.
Visiting the Auckland Gapyeong Battle Monument, paying tribute to the veterans' contributions in front of the memorial.
After the event, executives of the United Nations Peace Village and the president of the Federation of Korean Associations in New Zealand visited the Gapyeong Battle Memorial located in Auckland to honor the valuable sacrifices of New Zealand veterans. They paid tribute in front of the memorial built with stones brought from Gapyeong, the site of the battle.
The president of the Federation of Korean Associations in New Zealand announced, "The New Zealand government has donated 5,000 pyeong of land in the Auckland area to create a Korean Memorial Garden. This park will play an important role in representing Korean culture in Auckland."
Hong Seung-pil, president of the Federation of Korean Associations in New Zealand, added, "The New Zealand government has donated 100 pyeong of land in the Wellington area, and a preparatory committee has been formed with the Federation of Korean Associations in New Zealand and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in New Zealand. Together, Korean communities nationwide in New Zealand will unite to establish a veterans memorial."
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