'We will never forget your sacrifice': Korean church honors Korean War veterans in Virginia

"When our battalion was at the front line, the Chinese forces came pouring down. My Marine platoon had 13 men. By the end of that night, only two of us were still alive, including me. All I could think was, 'God, please help me.'"

The Rev. Glen A. Galteri, 97, a US Korean War veteran, spoke to reporters Friday ahead of a tribute dinner hosted by Saeedun Church at the JW Marriott Reston Station hotel in Virginia. The wounds of a war fought 76 years ago were still vivid in his memory. Deployed at age 21 to a country far from home, he took part in the Incheon Landing Operation and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, and spent years afterward struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Galteri, who said he was "merely doing what had to be done," described being overwhelmed with emotion when he later saw photographs of Seoul's transformation. "The Seoul I remembered was a city reduced to rubble by artillery. But when I saw pictures of this enormous, thriving city, I just said 'wow.' It's a true miracle," he said.

William Charles Bradley (1928–1950), a fallen soldier, served as a medic during the Korean War. He was captured by enemy forces during the Battle of the Chongchon River and the subsequent retreat, and died while held as a prisoner of war.

His niece, Robin Piacin, 70, said later research brought her family some comfort. "We found out that when my uncle passed away, there was a doctor by his side. Knowing that someone was with him — that he didn't die alone on the side of a road — was a consolation," she said. She added that her mother went on to help families of fallen US soldiers access information, and that her uncle's name was given to her younger brother, as her uncle had asked before leaving for the war.

Saeedun Church has held what it describes as the largest private tribute event for Korean War veterans — domestic and international — every year since 2007. The tradition began when Senior Pastor So Kang-seok attended a pre-parade event for the Martin Luther King Parade in Los Angeles that year and met Korean War veteran Riddick Nathaniel James (1921–2013). James mentioned that he had always wanted to visit Korea, and So invited him that June. The church has not missed a year since.

Over the past two decades, the church has invited more than 7,700 people — Korean veterans, veterans and family members from eight UN member nations including the United States, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Turkey, the Philippines, Colombia and Ethiopia, as well as families of the missing and fallen. Saeedun Church has covered all costs, which have exceeded 10 billion won (about $6.54 million), making the event a leading example of civilian-led diplomacy and veterans' recognition.

At Friday's event, Pastor So said: "This year marks the 76th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. The war left Korea in ruins, with no hope in sight. But even in that land of terrible suffering, flowers bloomed again and the spring of hope began to return — because you, our veterans, fought with your lives on the line. We will never forget you. We will remember your sacrifice."

So performed a deep traditional bow to the veterans as a gesture of gratitude and respect, then said: "The United States is a blood ally that shed its blood for Korea's freedom and peace. I hope this event not only strengthens the friendship between our two countries, but also serves as a bridge of love and peace — so that the tragedy of war may never again come to the Korean Peninsula."

About 300 people attended the event, including 42 American Korean War veterans and 42 family members from Washington, D.C., Chicago, Arizona and Dallas; 12 Korean-American veterans and 12 family members; 40 families of fallen soldiers; 16 members and family of the Korean War Veterans Association; and Pastor So. Also in attendance were Kim Deok-man, chairman of the Korean Association of Virginia; Lee Eon-ju, a senior member of the Democratic Party; Elder Kim Jong-dae, a retired rear admiral; and Elder Lee Cheol-hwi, a retired Army general.

President Lee Jae Myung sent a congratulatory message, saying: "Thanks to this meaningful event, which has continued without interruption, the sacrifice and dedication of these heroes has been able to shine across time and borders. The free, peaceful and prosperous Korea we enjoy today was built on the blood and sweat of our veterans. Your commitment — giving your youth on battlefields of a foreign land whose very name was unfamiliar — is the firm foundation that made today's Korea possible, and the root of the Korea-US alliance."

He added: "The people's sovereignty government will never forget your dedication to our nation. We will do our utmost to ensure that your extraordinary sacrifice receives extraordinary recognition."

Veterans were visibly moved as children addressed them, saying: "Because of your courage and sacrifice, we can go to school, play with our friends and dream freely. Our happiness was built on your sacrifice." Attendees listened together to the national anthems of both countries, waving the Korean and American flags as the two nations became one.

Paul Henry Cunningham, 96, a former president of the Korean War Veterans Association who served in Korea from 1950 to 1952, said no other country in the world had expressed gratitude for so long for the help the United States provided during a time of national conflict. "When I visited Korea in 2023, I was deeply moved to see children in hanbok meeting us in person and being told, 'These are the people who helped us when we were in need,'" he said. "Unfortunately, the United States is not doing enough to instill in younger generations the memory of the sacrifices made in the wars our generation fought. I will spend the rest of my life with the firm belief that Korea will never allow this history to become a 'forgotten war' or a 'forgotten event.'"