KWVA-VC Chapter 56 to mark 61st
anniversary of end of Korean War Saturday

Korean War Veterans Association-Ventura County Chapter #56 will remember those who lost their lives in the Korean War at a special ceremony Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park that also honors veterans who passed in the ensuing years.

The July 26 observance for the 61st anniversary of the end of the Korean War will be held at Veterans Memorial Park at 10 a.m.
The community is invited to attend the observance that will include a complete burial ceremony with the folding of The Stars and Stripes that includes an explanation of the meaning of each fold.
There will also be a 21-gun-salute.
U.S. Marine Henry Nava will be playing a medley of armed forces songs until the observance starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Korean War Veterans Memorial located at the park.
KWVA-VC Chapter #56 Commander David Lopez will oversee the ceremony that will include the posting of the flags, Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer by Korean War veteran David Pressey, a special speaker and the reading of the casualty list.
The placing of the wreaths will follow with the first- the chapter’s own - placed by former Commander Steve Cho, followed by placement of floral tributes by the general public; members of Chapter #56 will place tributes for those who were unable to attend.
The burial and folding of the Stars and Stripes ceremonies, Chapter #56 introduction, prayer, 21-Gun Salute and the playing of Taps by Rudy Arellano will close the ceremony.
Even if a person cannot attend the annual observance, held in front of the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Chapter 56 still might be able to arrange for a floral tribute, call Lopez at 1-310-323-8481 for more information.
“Remember, we are also honoring those veterans that were fortunate enough to come home alive but who are now deceased,” a mission of the KWVA.
“It is up to us the living,” said Lopez, “to remember those deceased veterans for their service to our country.”
Veterans Memorial Park is located at 970 E. Ventura St.; Lopez noted seating will be limited and those attending are encouraged to bring a chair.
The United States participation in the Korean War led to 33,686 battle deaths, 2,830 non-battle deaths and 8,176 missing in action and more than 103,000 injured.
Later known as The Forgotten War, more than 1.2 million died on both sides of the battlefield in just three years, from June 1950 to July 1953 when the war ended.
The Korean War was a conflict between the Republic of Korea (South Korea), supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), at one time supported by the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union. It was primarily the result of the political division of Korea by an agreement of the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the Pacific War at the end of World War II.
Although on July 27, 1953 the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Chinese People’s Volunteers and the UN signed an armistice agreement, ending the fighting, there has never been a peace treaty, so the Korean War has technically never ended.