Honoring the Spirits of National Patriots
and Reflecting on the Meaning of Veterans' Affairs
The Busan Regional Veterans Affairs Office of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (Director Namil Lee) held the '27th Jinyeo Memorial Rite for the Spirits of National Patriots and Consolation Event for Veterans' Families' on June 19 in front of the Memorial Tower for National Patriots at Hyeonchung Park in Hwamyung New Town, Busan.
Namil Lee, Director of the Busan Regional Veterans Affairs Office, is performing Yukbeop Gongyang. Provided by Busan Regional Veterans Affairs Office
This event, organized by Jinyeowon of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, was arranged to honor the spirits of those who sacrificed for the nation and to comfort the families of veterans.
More than 150 people attended the event, including Namil Lee, Director of the Busan Regional Veterans Affairs Office, the Director of the General Affairs Division of Busan City, the Mayor of Buk-gu, Busan, the Commander of the 5th Battalion, 126th Regiment, 53rd Army Division, Jinyeowon devotees, bereaved families of the fallen, and local residents, as well as officials from the Busan Regional Veterans Affairs Office and related local organizations.
The ceremony proceeded solemnly and reverently in the following order: lighting of lanterns wishing for rebirth in paradise, recitation of a dedicated poem, Yukbeop Gongyang and offering of flowers, national ceremony, singing of the national anthem, silent tribute to the spirits of national patriots, presentation of plaques and scholarships, memorial address, and commemorative performance.
The Memorial Monument for the Spirits of National Patriots, which served as the background for this memorial rite, was erected on July 29, 2002, through the joint efforts of local bereaved families, residents, and Jinyeowon. Jinyeowon still enshrines the memorial tablets of the spirits of national patriots to this day.
Namil Lee, Director of the Busan Regional Veterans Affairs Office, stated, "Today's memorial rite was a meaningful occasion to honor the noble sacrifices of our forebears and to remind all citizens of the value of veterans' affairs," adding, "We will continue to do our utmost to ensure that the culture of honoring veterans becomes a living part of everyday life."
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