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Memorial Day is commemorated on the last Monday of May in the United States, honoring the sacrifice of the men and women of the armed forces. This year, the United States Military Academy will see its class of 2017 graduate on Memorial Day weekend. As the class moves from training into active duty, they acknowledge the legacy that they are carrying on for the higher purpose and calling that has shaped the United States and its role in the world.

The United States Military Academy Class of 2017 crest and motto, “So Others May Dream.”

It is tradition for every class of the United States Military Academy to commission a crest and motto. These symbols are an expression of the entire class’s pledge to carry on the legacy of the academy. This year, the 2017 class crest and motto goes further to recognize the class’s commitment to carry out their duty, not only for their country, but for the world.

The eagle in their crest is positioned to embrace the world with seven wing tips representing the seven continents of the world and their motto emblazoned on the top, “So others may dream.” Behind the eagle are six stars and seven stripes, acknowledging the link between the current class and the class of 1967, their predecessors from 50 years past.

The 2017 crest and motto reflect the founding values of the United States, to open the way for the world to dream, not just small dreams of economic prosperity, or even democratic freedom, but a dream that speaks to the very essence of humanity, expressed in the Declaration of Independence, to live a life that honors the “inalienable rights” of every person and the source by which it was endowed, the “Creator.”

Memorial Day in the United States is commemorated on the last Monday of May.

This dream has motivated the United States in many pivotal moments in its history. During World War II the United States sent men and women to both the European and Pacific arenas, not only to protect the freedoms of its citizens, but open the way for multiple nations and people to become independent, self-governing and prosperous. During the Korean War, the United States joined the United Nations forces, sending young men and women to serve on shores unknown to preserve the chance for people they never met to dream freely.  One can even say that this founding dream prompted the United States to pursue the establishment of the United Nations and subsequent movements like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The graduating class of 2017 will leave with gold rings emblazoned with their class crest and motto. Their rings contain the gold of rings from classes as early as 1914, tangibly signifying the connection between the generations of men and women in the United States armed forces who have sacrificed and worked towards giving substance to the founding dream of the nation that has undergirded its success and defined its leadership in the past and into the future.

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“The dream of America’s Founding Fathers not only gave birth to a great nation, unique in world history to that point. It also left substantial footprints throughout the world. It set out the ideal of universal human rights, freedoms, and responsibilities and made substantial sacrifices in pursuit of realizing that ideal. If America no longer takes the lead in this endeavor, who else will?”
-Dr, Hyun Jin Moon, Korean Dream: A Vision for a Unified Korea

A lone U.S. Army bugler plays Taps at the conclusion of the First Annual Remembrance Ceremony in Dedication to Fallen Military Medical Personnel at Arlington National Cemetery. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley/Released)

Nineteen steel statues face an invisible winter wind whipping their ponchos against their weapons and packs. They trek through fields of juniper bushes and granite slabs meant to emulate rice paddies. In the background what seems to be the snow-capped mountains, are actually 2400 faces of GI and support troops.

Etched on black granite at the entrance of the memorial are the words of President Harry S. Truman, “Our Debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid, they have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

It was a dark time for Korea as its people were torn by the ideological hegemonies of the Cold War. The United Nations forces made their first international intervention with the support of 22 nations including, 5.8 million Americans, of which more than 36,000 never came home.

It was the middle of winter when these men and women, driven only by the conviction that freedom was a cause worth dying for, stepped onto foreign soil to fight for the freedoms of brethren they’d never met.

Every year the number of Korean War veterans who make their way to the memorial dwindle, but their children and grandchildren, and the children and grandchildren of people who own a debt of gratitude to the faces etched in the black granite continue to visit.

Next to the memorial pool of the Korean War Memorial are four words, “Freedom is not free.” These words express the resolve that has motivated the men and women of the armed forces throughout U.S. History, who have fought to bring to life the principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence.

Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C.

America’s sacrifice on far shores of lands and people unknown is memorialized, not only with the 19 statues and 2,400 faces at the Korean War Memorial, but in the countless monuments in Washington D.C, and the white tombstones that line the veterans cemeteries across the country.

They are testaments to the United States’ commitment, not only in words but in the blood and sweat of its best and brightest, to the promise of its founding documents, that “all men are created equal and endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights.”

Each year, on Memorial Day, people across the United States visit these memorials to honor the lives of these men and women and the legacy they gave their lives for, a vision that all people can live in dignity as part of One Family Under God.

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Koreans are the masters of their destiny. From this nation should arise leaders and patriots who are willing to put their lives on the line for a new Korea.

This week, the Korean people commemorated the patriots who gave their lives for the birth of Korea. In South Korea, the Memorial Day is a day when we Koreans honor our obligation to the nation that we are a part of.

This year, I want to challenge us to rethink our paradigm and also celebrate the beginning of a transformation. A transformation is starting that will make the Korean people one people, on one peninsula, with one common destiny.

The elderly of Korea, especially those over 50, experienced the devastation of war. Their blood and sweat has made this nation what it is today. Yet, the young people in their 20s grew up in the luxury of South Korea’s development with little concern for their history or their connection to the people of North Korea.

With such apathy, is anyone thinking about the reunification of the Korean peninsula? Who is investing themselves, committing their lives to the reunification of this peninsula and vision of the nation that can arise from that reunification?

We have been divided not by our own will, but by the turn of history. I have family members in North Korea who I have never seen in my 40 years of life. The 38^th Parallel stands between fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives. At this time, shouldn’t we carry a vision that inspires the people of Korea to once again dream of one united Korea – dream a dream strong enough to tear down the division between North and South?

Koreans are the masters of their destiny. From this nation should arise leaders and patriots who are willing to put their lives on the line for a new Korea.

I am seeing a transformation beginning.  Just last month a pledge campaign was launched at the National Assembly building asking South

Creative, grassroots initiatives like the Alllights program that provides solar powered flashlights to developing nations.  http://gpffkorea.blog.me/130137559775

Koreans, “What would you pledge for reunification?” Creative, grassroots initiatives like the Alllights program that provides solar powered flashlights to developing nations, or a 1,000 won drive for bread factories in North Korea are emerging as a reflection of this transformation.

On this Memorial Day, let us commit to a Korean dream that gives hope, not only to the Korean people, but to the entire world.

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This week the United States is remembering members of its armed forces that  paid the ultimate price. The UN also commemorates its Peacekeeping forces’ commitment “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.”

Korean War Memorial in Seoul, Korea. Taking time to remember and honor all those who gave their lives in service.

These brave men and women gave their lives not only for their country, but for the welfare and peace of the global community. Their service for the greater good of humanity sets an example for us.  And it gives us hope for a world that can live in peace and prosperity.

Personally, were it not for the United States’ forces and the other 20 nations of the United Nations  that intervened in the Korean War, I would not be here today. The UN Forces pushed back the invading army and in the process liberated a North Korean prison camp where my father was prisoner. If they had come even a day later, he would have been executed.  I own a debt of gratitude to those soldiers who sacrificed their lives on unknown shores.

To those who have given their lives for country and humanity and to their families, thank you.

They have laid down milestones towards a world without war. A world of peace where humanity will recognize that it is one family.

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