Remembering What's Forgotten On Korean War Veteran's Armistice Day 2018
Published on
July 23, 2018 at 10:41:00 PM PDT July 23, 2018 at 10:41:00 PM PDTrd, July 23, 2018 at 10:41:00 PM PDT
Friday, July 27, 2018, is National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day—a day to recognize the heroes who served, and the more than 36,000 American soldiers killed in action during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953.
The "Forgotten" War
The Korean war began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea, backed by the Soviet Union, invaded South Korea. Shortly thereafter, American troops arrived, and alongside 15 allies they pushed back on the North Koreans in an effort to defend the Korean Peninsula against the spread of Communism. The Korean War is often referred to as the “Forgotten War” because of its occurrence between World War II and the Vietnam War, however the Korean War is widely regarded as the first major conflict of the Cold War, and an important reminder of the values that continue to live in the heart of our great nation—defending freedom and democracy against tyranny and oppression.
Korean War Armistice Day is a recognition of the day in history, July 27, 1953, when President Eisenhower, China, and the United Nations secured peace on the Korean Peninsula by signing an armistice suspending all hostilities. Today, we remember those war veterans, prisoners of war, and those killed in action through ceremony, by flying the flag at half-staff and continuing to share the stories that shaped our history. It is also appropriate to fly the POW/MIA flag on this day to recognize those prisoners of war, both missing and returnees.
If you choose to fly your POW/MIA flag or Korean War Veterans Flag on Korean War Veterans Day 2018, remember to display your flags below the U.S. flag on the same flagstaff. When displaying your flags on three separate poles of the same height, place your POW/MIA and Korean War Veterans Flags to the right of the U.S. flag, as the U.S. flag should always appear to the left of other flags from the most-viewed angle. When displaying your flags on flagpoles of differing heights, be sure to display your U.S. flag on the tallest flagpole in the center of the display, with the POW/MIA flag to the left of the U.S. flag.
Honoring War Veterans Year-Round
To this day, our nation still feels the effects of the “Forgotten War”—from the grave threats of North Korea’s ballistic and nuclear weapons programs to the adoptive Korean families who have assimilated, struggled with their identities, and begun to raise the next generation of Americans. Let us, in the words of President Eisenhower, always remember, “We have gained a truce in Korea. We do not greet it with wild rejoicing. We know how dear its cost has been in life and treasure.”
Learn more about the Korean War by browsing the archives at the U.S. Department of Defense website or visiting the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Get Half-Staff Alerts, news, and information about flag flying holidays from Carrot-Top at /flag-alert.
About the Author
Jenny Jolly | [email protected]
Carrot-Top Staff Writer, Jenny Jolly, has been blogging and writing for businesses since 2008. A self-proclaimed "Army brat", Jolly grew up on military bases overseas before settling back in her family's home state of North Carolina. "Growing up a bi-cultural American has taught me to appreciate the diversity of our great nation. Having experienced other cultures firsthand has also given me valuable perspective on what it means to be American—to love your country, to value your rights and freedoms, and to fully embrace the ideal of the American Dream," she said. It is her honor to serve Carrot-Top Industries in the shared goal of providing American-made U.S. flags and patriotic, special event, and custom-made products to military institutions, service member families, government agencies, schools, businesses, and individuals across the United States.