After Seeing the 'Merit Badge', Marines Secretly Paid for Veterans' Meal to Show Their Gratitude

Two Marines Pay for Meals of Ten National Merit Recipients on Memorial Day Leave
"We Wanted to Express Our Gratitude to the Senior Generation Through Our Actions"

Sergeant Kwon Yul and Private First Class Lee Chanhyung of the Air Defense Battalion, 6th Brigade, Baengnyeongdo. Marine Corps 6th Brigade

It was belatedly revealed that two soldiers from the Marine Corps 6th Brigade, stationed on Baengnyeongdo, the northernmost island in the West Sea, recognized a national merit recipient and secretly paid for his meal.

According to the Marine Corps 6th Brigade and media reports on June 10, Sergeant Kwon Yul (21) and Private First Class Lee Chanhyung (20), both members of the brigade's Air Defense Battalion, went out on leave on June 6, Memorial Day, and visited a restaurant on Baengnyeongdo, where they noticed Oh Kyungrok (92), a national merit recipient.

Oh, a veteran of the Korean War, was dining on naengmyeon and boiled pork with about 10 acquaintances, including other national merit recipients, after attending a Memorial Day commemoration event. Sergeant Kwon and Private First Class Lee noticed the national merit badge pinned to Oh's chest and quietly went to the counter to pay the meal bill of approximately 100,000 won for Oh and his group. Their good deed came to light when an employee of the Baengnyeong-myeon Office in Ongjin County happened to witness the soldiers paying the bill and reported it to the unit.

Later, through the unit, Oh expressed his gratitude, saying, "It was touching and admirable that the young marines paid for our meal, but I also felt sorry and thankful. I am proud and reassured by our junior soldiers. I hope everything goes well for them, and that they serve in good health, taking pride in defending the country as marines stationed on Baengnyeongdo, the northernmost island in the West Sea."

Sergeant Kwon said, "On Memorial Day, I wanted to show my respect and appreciation for the sacrifices and dedication of the older generation through my actions. Although it was not a big gesture, I hope our feelings were conveyed, and I will continue to act with pride as a marine."

Private First Class Lee shared, "Seeing the elderly wearing national merit badges while dining moved me deeply. Just as the veterans defended our country, I will do my best to fulfill my duties and protect the nation during the remainder of my service."