[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11081]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO KOREAN WAR VETERANS

  Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and pay 
tribute to our Korean war veterans and to express my strong support for 
and admiration of the Harry S. Truman Library Institute, the nonprofit 
partner of the Truman Library, that is leading our Nation's 
commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean war. 
On this important anniversary, we must not forget the lessons from this 
oft-forgotten war, nor the men and women who demonstrated legendary 
courage and valor in the face of unspeakable brutality.
  Sixty years ago in Independence, MO, on June 25, 1950, President 
Harry S. Truman received word that the free people of South Korea had 
been invaded by some 135,000 communist troops from the North. America's 
33rd President responded swiftly and decisively, for, in his words, 
``In my generation, this was not the first occasion when the strong had 
attacked the weak.'' Today, the fateful crossing of the 38th parallel 
by communist forces stands as the opening paragraph of one of the most 
brutal chapters in our American history, the Korean war.
  It is impossible to understand our world today--and to have an 
informed view on the conflict that continues to seethe on the Korean 
peninsula--without understanding the Korean war. And yet, the first 
conflict in the Cold War is sometimes called the ``Unknown War,'' or 
worse, the ``Forgotten War'' because it is not widely taught, studied 
or understood. That is why, on this important occasion, we must rise to 
honor the courage and sacrifice of our Korean war veterans--so we can 
never forget.
  We cannot and will not forget that nearly 1.8 million Americans 
served in Korea, along with the forces of the Republic of Korea and 20 
other members of the United Nations, to defend freedom and democracy. 
We will not forget that nearly 33,739 Americans died in battle during 
the war. We will not forget that nearly 92,100 troops were wounded in 
action during the conflict. We will not forget that more than 8,100 men 
and women never came home, and are still listed as missing in action or 
prisoners of war.
  We have, as we recognize the 60th anniversary of the start of the 
Korean war, an important opportunity to examine the roots and legacy of 
the Korean war and to honor each individual who, in the defense of 
freedom, bravely faced aggression of devastating tyranny. I urge all 
Americans to observe the 60th anniversary of the Korean war and to take 
this opportunity to learn about the conflict and, most importantly, the 
men and women who participated in it. Their legacy is one of great 
honor. I want to recognize the Korean War Veterans Appreciation 
Ceremony--held on June 21, 2010, in the hometown of one of Nation's 
great leaders, President Harry S Truman, as a sterling symbol of our 
Nation's commitment to always remember, understand, and honor our brave 
Korean war heroes and the history of the Korean war.
  I want to especially recognize the men and women at the Harry S 
Truman Library Institute who tirelessly labored to make the 
Appreciation Ceremony possible and a tremendous success. It is with 
great regret I will not be able to join many Missourians, many 
veterans, my esteemed colleague, Congressman Ike Skelton, who is a 
tremendous student of military history, and keynote speaker GEN David 
Petraeus, a modern-day American war hero, on June 21 in Independence to 
recognize this anniversary and celebrate Korean war veterans. However, 
I know this will be a momentous event on a momentous occasion. I stand 
with all of those at the event in remembering the Korean war, in 
honoring Korean war veterans, in paying respect to the remaining POWs 
and MIAs and the fallen servicemembers, and in celebrating America's 
freedom, which has for so long been guaranteed by our fighting men and 
women.

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