NATIONAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY
2024
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, on June 25, 1950, armed forces from North Korea shattered the peace as they crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded South Korea; and
WHEREAS, 21 countries formed a United Nations Command force to face the Cold War challenge; the brave men and women of this coalition, the majority of whom were Americans, fought courageously to defend people from tyranny and aggression, and they succeeded in defeating the invading forces; and
WHEREAS, during the Korean War, from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953, approximately 1.8 million members of the United States Armed Forces fought in places such as Pork Chop Hill, Pusan Perimeter, and the Chosin Reservoir; and
WHEREAS, during the war, approximately 36,500 American lives were lost in combat, more than 103,000 were wounded, and more than 7,500 remain listed as missing in action or taken prisoner; their distinguished service reminds us of the words engraved on the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., “Freedom Is Not Free”; and
WHEREAS, these men and women faced a formidable adversary and endured harsh conditions in upholding our nation's heritage of valor, tenacity, and honor during this important stand against authoritarian aggression; and
WHEREAS, today, as the Republic of Korea stands as a strong, democratic, and progressive nation; we thank our Korean War veterans for serving our nation and the world with courage and distinction; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina and the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs are proud of the men and women who fought and died in the Korean War to defend democracy, liberty, and human rights here and across the world;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim July 27, 2024, as “NATIONAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.
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Roy Cooper
Governor
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-second day of July in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.