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Purpose:
Congress authorized the Commemoration to:
- Provide the people of the United States with a clear understanding
and appreciation of the lessons and history of the Korean War
- Thank and honor veterans of the Korean War and their families
- Pay tribute to the sacrifices and contributions made on the
home front from by the people of the United States during the
Korean War
- Highlight advances in technology, science and medicine related
to military research conducted during the Korean War
- Recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies
of the United States in the Korean War
- Highlight the role of the Armed Forces of the United States,
then and now, in maintaining world peace through strength
Partnership:
Congress asked the Secretary of Defense to coordinate Korean War
Commemoration activities and events among all departments and agencies
of the federal government and among state and local governments and
communities across the nation. We seek to establish partnerships
with committed communities, schools, civic and veterans organizations,
businesses, media and social agencies and organizations nationwide
and among the nations of our 21 Allies in the Korean War. Effectively,
wherever two or more are gathered for the purpose of recognizing Korean
War veterans, families and next of kin, we have potential for Commemoration
Partners to help achieve success in the nation's quest to honor Korean
War veterans. The Korean War marked the first time in history that
the United Nations sent armed forces into combat to stop aggression.
Armed forces and medical support units from 20 United Nations member
states, along with the Republic of Korea and Italy, teamed together
under the United Nations banner to halt the attempted communist takeover
of the Republic of Korea. The service and sacrifices of our Korean
War veterans 50 years ago saved a nation from communist enslavement
and gave the nascent country of South Korea the OPPORTUNITY to develop
and flourish under freedom and democracy into the successful, modern
nation it is today.
About the Flag:
The 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Flag is symbolic
of the unified effort of the United States, the Republic of Korea
and our allies to stop communist aggression on the Korean peninsula
50 years ago. The light blue and white streamer that runs through
the center of the flag is the U.N. Battle Streamer. The 22 stars
represent the 22 allied nations that fought side-by-side to save
South Korea. The words "Freedom is not Free" were added
by our veterans who, more than anyone else, know the great price
of liberty. The flag is in both the English and Korean (Hangul)
languages. In the center is the "Tae Guk" symbol from
the South Korean flag, familiar to many as the symbol for the philosophy
of Yin and Yang. In Korea, known as Eum and Yang, the symbol stands
for peace and harmony. South Korea has adopted this as their official
commemoration flag. The Institute of Heraldry assisted the United
States of America Korean War Commemoration Committee with the design
of the flag. A major goal of the Commemoration is to see this flag
displayed by Commemoration Partners throughout communities all across
the Nation to honor and thank the veterans of the Korean War, their
families and next of kin of those who were lost.
About the
Logo:
The focal point of the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration
Crest is the three-lobed Taeguk, known as the sam-Taeguk. The three
lobes of the sam-Taeguk are as follows:
Red and White stripes representing the United States
Dark Blue representing South Korea
The United Nations Light Blue with 22 Gold stars representing the 20 United Nations member states, plus the Republic of Korea and Italy, that formed the Allied Coalition.
Traditionally, the Taeguk depicted on the flag of the Republic of
Korea represents two states of being, Heaven and Earth (spiritual
and physical). The sam-Taeguk stands for three states of being:
Heaven, Earth and Man. Heaven represents the spiritual, Earth is
the physical and Man is the intermediary who embodies both the spiritual
and physical.
The wreath and gold lettering symbolize honor and excellence
During the commemoration period, the nation will honor the Korean
War veterans for the sacrifices they made to ensure a free and democratic
Republic of Korea.
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