On the morning of June 6, Gyeongnam Province solemnly held the 70th Memorial Day ceremony at the Changwon Chung-hon Tower at 10 a.m.
The ceremony, held under the theme "The Yesterday They Protected, The Tomorrow We Will Create," was attended by Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province; Choi Hakbeom, Chairman of the Provincial Council; Heo Seongmu, National Assembly member; representatives from veterans' organizations; independence patriots; war veterans; and approximately 1,000 provincial residents.
At 10 a.m., participants observed a one-minute silent tribute in unison with the nationwide Memorial Day siren.
Following this, attendees offered flowers and incense in honor of those who sacrificed for the country and sang the "Song of Memorial Day" together.
Park Wansu, governor of Gyeongnam Province, is lighting incense for the patriotic martyrs and fallen heroes at the 70th Memorial Day ceremony held at the Changwon Chung-hon Tower. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
Kim Hyogyeong, daughter-in-law of the late Lee Jongtae, a Korean War casualty, and president of the Changwon Recitation Literature Association, recited a memorial poem titled "You Who Became a Star in Our Hearts."
Bae Seonga, a cellist from the Changwon City Symphony Orchestra, performed Rachmaninoff's "My Soul Became the Wind."
Thirty students from the Changwon High School Junior ROTC also attended the ceremony with Song Geunhyeon, Deputy Superintendent of Gyeongnam Provincial Office of Education, to pay tribute to the fallen patriots and national heroes.
Jo Hyeonmin, a second-year student at the school, read a letter of gratitude addressed to the fallen patriots.
Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, delivers a memorial address at the 70th Memorial Day Ceremony held at the Changwon Chung Hontap. Provided by Gyeongnam Province
Governor Park left a message in the memorial tower guestbook, writing, "The dedication and sacrifice of the patriotic heroes for our country will be remembered forever together with the people of Gyeongnam."
During the ceremony, he stated, "We pay deep respect to the patriotic heroes who devoted themselves to establishing liberal democracy in the Republic of Korea," and emphasized, "The peaceful daily life enjoyed by 3.3 million provincial residents today is rooted in the sacrifices of these heroes."
He continued, "As generations pass, the meaning of gratitude and remembrance for the fallen patriots is fading," and added, "I hope this moment will serve as an opportunity for us to reaffirm the values of freedom, peace, and dignity, and for the local community to join forces in education on veterans' affairs for postwar generations and in providing practical support for those who served."
On this day, Governor Park also presented veterans' policy initiatives.
He said, "We have continued efforts to discover unrecognized independence activists, achieving the highest number of commendations nationwide," and added, "This year as well, we plan to apply for commendations for about 20 key figures who led the March 1st Movement."
He further emphasized, "We will continue to expand practical recognition policies closely tailored to provincial residents, such as improving living conditions for national merit recipients, preferential financial services, and medical support," and stated, "We will continue efforts to honor the patriotic forebears and national heroes so that children born and raised in Gyeongnam can pursue their dreams here."
On the same day, Memorial Day ceremonies were held simultaneously in all 18 cities and counties within the province. The provincial government encouraged public institutions and businesses to fly the national flag at half-mast and fostered an atmosphere of voluntary tribute.
In commemoration of June, the Month of Patriots and Veterans, Gyeongnam Province plans to continue a variety of veterans' events, including visits to national merit recipients currently hospitalized, meetings with veterans' organization leaders, and appreciation events for Korean War veterans.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
