Community Corner

Dearborn Veterans Plan Korean War Armistice Day Celebration

The public invited to a free tribute to Korean War veterans on Friday at 6 p.m.

The Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council and several Korean-American organizations will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean War at 6 p.m. July 26 in the auditorium of the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave.

The public is invited to the ceremony and to a free reception afterwards at Dearborn’s Polish Legion of American Veterans No. 75, located at 7900 Greenfield Road.

The ceremony honoring those who served in the military during the Korean War will be led by John Ruselowski, chairman of the organizing committee and a Korean War veteran.

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“This 60th anniversary is significant. It’s a journey we couldn’t have anticipated. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in this war, including 26 from Dearborn. We’ll pause to pay respect to them, and all who served during the Korean War.

“But most importantly,” Ruselowski continued, “those who attend the event will see demonstrated the tremendous bond that has continued between the Koreans and the Americans. This is a night of thanks, gratitude and remembrance. The Korean War was a victory for the United States and the 21 nations of the United Nations, who stopped communist aggression.”

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Also organizing and sponsoring the event are Soo Hong and the Korean Veterans Association of Detroit.    

The colorful ceremony will include remarks by Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr.; U.S. Army Brigadier Gen. Joseph Martin; Jin Hyun Lee, consul for the Korean Consulate in Chicago; Korean Asian Pacific Coordinator Mae Sook Wilkinson; Michigan Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood; and Rep.George T. Darany.

Serving as bell ringer is Ryang Hong, who was awarded the Republic of Korea Medal of Honor for his military service.

The roll call of honor will be read by Purple Heart recipient George Harvey and Arman Alviani.

Other guests include representatives from the Korean-American community of Metro Detroit, the Korean American Association of Michigan, the Korean American Foundation of Michigan and the Korean War Veterans of America, Michigan Chapter 256.

Brigadier Gen. Martin is returning to his hometown of Dearborn to participate in the ceremony. He is a 1981 graduate of Dearborn High School and a 1986 graduate from the U.S. Military Academy.

Martin has served in a variety of troop assignments including commanding the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, KS. and deploying with that command to serve in Iraq.

He was also chief of staff of III Corps in Fort Hood, Texas, commanded the U.S. Army Operational Test Command, and is now the 1st Cavalry Division’s deputy commanding general for maneuvers. His awards include the Bronze Star.

Martin served as the grand marshal of Dearborn’s Memorial Day Parade in 2010.

The ceremony is usually held on July 27, the actual date of the signing of the armistice, but was moved to July 26 this year in order to be synchronized with the commemoration in the Republic of Korea.

Following the ceremony at approximately 7 p.m., a public reception will be at the Polish Legion of American Veterans Hall, 7900 Greenfield Road in Dearborn.


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