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PHOTO
GALLERY

This gallery captures the journey from the memorial’s creation to the ceremonies and events held in remembrance of our Korean War veterans. Each image reflects the enduring gratitude and respect for their service and sacrifice.

Korean War Veteran, Ismael Heredia Torres (99) visits from Puerto Rico

Board Members and Guest from Korea	Mr. Heredia Torres pointing out the history plate at the memorial	Scholarship Recipients of $3,000 each Scholarship Recipients: From Left to Right (Bottom Right): Lorelei Claudine Gardiner-Brooks, Alanis Delgado, Nicol Desiree Maria Maeso Ramirez From Left to Right (Top Right): Sinaira Marie Camacho Heredia,
Group picture with Kiocha Figueora and theLA consulate general of ROK	Advisor Noh looking through the brochure	A group picture with the scholarship recipients and OCKWM board
Alanis Delgado reading her speech at the ceremony	Our guest veteran, Mr. Ismael Heredia Torres

Mrs. Sarah Sievers donates her late husband's memento

Hwarang members filmed the moment so it could be remembered. We thank you again, Ms. Sievers, for the donation. To check out what was donated, check our Virtual Museum.	Hwarang Summit President interviews Ms. Sievers regarding the donation. We thank you for your donation and we will do our best to keep your husband's memories alive.	Ms. Sarah Sievers donates her late husband's memento On August 22, 2024, Ms. Sievers contacted the President of the OC Korean War Memorial to arrange the donation of her late husband’s letters and photographs from the Korean War.
Hwarang members and Ms. Sarah Sievers holding the donated items 9/1/2024

Annual National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day Commemoration

Full image of the memorial after the event Thank you for your attendance and I hope you place the memory of our veterans deep in your heart.	Group picture to end the event	One of the Star Memorials after the event Attendees placed flowers around the memorial to honor the veterans who had passed away.
Mr. Howard Park & Mrs. Sarah Park with the guardian of Capt. Williams	Captain Williams getting ready for his turn!	Final Remarks from Executive Advisor Ro
Another View of the Captain talking About His Story.	Captain Williams talks about his story	Capt. Williams receives a bow from the Hwarang Youth members.
National Anthem by Yeju Byun	Captain Williams with the Hwarang Youth Summit President, Donggeon Kim	With guidance of our team members Capt. Williams walks towards the memorial
Another view as he presents the rose.	Captain Williams stands to present his rose to our fallen veterans. We also thank you for your service Captain Williams!	Hwarang Representatives Donggeon Kim and Ashley Kim The Youth Emcees are leading the event.
Captain Elmer Royce Williams Beside him (from the left) Kiho Pai and Nathan Park	Hwarang Sori Nanta Peformance	Annual National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day Commemoration 9/23/2025- Thank you for being there to remember our veterans.
Another Perspective of the Nanta Performance The Hwarang Nanta performs to honor our Korean War Veterans.

Commemoration of the 74th Anniversary of the Korean War

Group Picture & Conclusion of Ceremony	IMG_9703	Vice Mayor of Irvine, Tammy Kim Words of Encouragement
Mayor of Buena Park, Susan Sonne Words of Encouragement	Mayor of Fullerton, Fred Jung Words of Encouragement	Consul General of Royal Thai, Tor Saralamba Words of Encouragement
Korean War Veteran, Ben Espinoza Words of Encouragement We thank you for your service!	IMG_9658 Commemorative Remarks	IMG_9654 Commemorative Remarks
Exhibit L 1. November 11th, 1950 — Prisoners in baggy trousers and jackets. Did they even properly hold a rifle before becoming prisoners? 2. Propaganda banners inside the POW camp after the 1952 North Korean and Chinese uprising 3. August 9th, 1950 — Temporary prisoner-of-war (POW) camp.	Exhibit K 1. November 13th, 1950 — A wife weeps at the entrance of a tunnel where her husband was buried alive. "How could you leave, telling me to somehow go on living..." 2. November 13th, 1950, Deoksan Min, Hamheung — From the tunnel where 482 people were buried alive, bodies are being pulled out and laid down. A father searches for his son among them. " Please, let it not be my son..."	Exhibit J 1. Innocent Civilians Being Taken 2. Innocent Civilians Being Taken

Exhibit I 1. North Korean civilian refugees are evacuated by ferry boats on the Taedong River at Pyongyang, Korea. 2. North Korean civilian refugees wait to be evacuated at Pyongyang, Korea. 3. Sariwon, Hwanghae Province — Refugees crowd onto a southbound evacuation train. December 6th, 1950	Exhibit H 1. A platoon of the Korean Women’s Army prepares for inspection at a command post somewhere in Korea. This group plays a vital and active role in Korea’s fight against Communism. Many such women are currently fighting on the front lines with their fathers and brothers. 2. The United Nations flag waves over a crowd waiting to hear Dr. Syngman Rhee speak to the United Nations Council in Taegu, Korea. July 30th, 1950.	Exhibit G 1. Balloons launched by well-wishers at the rally demanding the return of the abductors on the 56th anniversary of the Korean War abduction at the Seodemun Prison site. June 22, 2006. 2. KWAFA official Kim Bok-nam reading a letter of appeal at the rally launched by KWAFA demanding rescue of the abductees, March 11th, 1954, in Seoul
Exhibit F 1. Disconnected Han River Bridge 2. Innocent Civilians Being Taken.	Exhibit D 1. Korean women and children search the rubble of Seoul for anything that can be used or burned as fuel. November 1st, 1950 2. Scattered Billets Persuading the North Korean Soldiers to Defect: 12-18-1950	Exhibit E 1. Boy and girl volunteer soldiers who participated in the Korean War (Photo provided by Grandma Moon In-soon of the Korean War Boy Soldiers' Comrades Association, second from the right in the front row) 2. Students with light steps. Wearing student caps, they head to the front line...carrying rifles. 3. Capture of Kim Il-sung's automobile. On the afternoon of October 22nd, 1950, Kim Il-sung fled during a U.S. Air Force air raid along the Cheoncheon River in Gaechon County, Pyeongbuk Province.

Exhibit C 1. Women gathered together to do the laundry 2. A Korean family mourns their murdered father, a victim of wholesale murder by North Koreans. September 27, 1950.	Exhibit B 1. Seoul: Fleeing Southward in the Bitter COld by Ferry Boat Breaking Ice in the Han River: 12-28-1950 2. Outskirts of Seoul: Children Are Playing on the Destroyed Army Tank: 10-11-1950	Exhibit A 1. The Rally Demanding Rescue of Abductees 2. Inaugural Meeting of the Korean war Abductees Family Association (KWAFA)
Commemoration of the 74th Anniversary of the Korean War 6/25/2024	IN SEARCH OF SIR ALBA'S FAMILY If you know anyone who may be connected to Sir Alba's family, we would greatly appreciate it if you could reach out to us.	ROK Consul General of LA, Kim Young Wan Welcome Remarks

Korean Veterans Association in
USA Event

Korean American Veterans	Korean Veterans Association in USA Event 5/21/2024 - Korean Veterans Association President visits the memorial for the first time.

2023 Descendants of Korean War Scholarship & Award Ceremony

Our 2023 Scholarship Recipients Congratulations once again!	Our Veterans Sitting up in Front.	Attendees Despite the heat and strong sunlight, we were glad to have you with us in celebration.
2023 Descendants of Korean War Scholarship & Award Ceremony 11/11/2023 - the setup of the event

The 72nd Korean War Anniversary Memorial Ceremony and
Appreciation Day

Tribute Item 2 Another commemorative stone left by a visitor to the Memorial.	Tribute Item 1 A commemorative stone was placed by a visitor to honor the Memorial.	Visitors from Korea 11/18/2022 - Important figures of the 겨레얼 visit to view the Korean Memorial for the first time.
Attendees of the Event Although the day was very hot, we are grateful to everyone who came to honor and remember this day that took place 72 years ago.	Incense Burner Installation A traditional Korean way to honor and remember those who have passed.	The 72nd Korean War Anniversary Memorial Ceremony and Appreciation Day 7/25/2022

First Restoration conducted by
Hwarang Youth Members

Founders Committed to Restoration Founders also join in the early morning to maintain the Memorial Park.	Full Shot of the Early Morning Restoration We deeply appreciate the efforts of the Hwarang members in maintaining the cleanliness and preservation of the memorial grounds for our veterans, their families, and all who visit.	Team E Wiping down the plaque that identifies this Memorial.
Team C Reading aloud and gently cleaning the names.	Team B Cleaning the top of the memorial.	Team D Keeping the Memorial grounds clean.

Team A Cleaning the names on the memorial.	Another Full Shot Hwarang members are working to restore the memorial and its surroundings.	First Restoration 12/17/2021 - conducted by Hwarang Youth Foundation members

Opening Dedication Ceremony of the
OC Korean War Memorial

The First Reveal of the OC Korean War Memorial Thank you to everyone who showed up! We appreciated your love and support.	Full Shot of the Memorial	Group Picture with Hwarang members
Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan and Vice Mayor Tammy Kim Presentation of Proclamations	4th District Supervisor Doug Chaffee Congratulatory Remarks	Senator Steven Choi Congratulatory Remarks
Representative Dave Min Congratulatory Remarks	Brigadier General Robert T. Wooldridge II Congratulatory Remarks	Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silvia Congratulatory Remarks

Congresswoman Young Kim Congratulatory Remarks	Congresswoman Judy Chu Congratulatory Remarks	Fullerton Councilmember D4 Bruce Whitaker Welcome Remarks
POTUS Joe Biden Congratulatory Message The message was read by Mayor Sukhee Kang.	Dedication Ceremony Attendees	ROK President Moon Jae In Congratulatory Message The message was read by Consulate General of ROK in LA, Park Kyung-Jae

The Beginning of the Ceremony The emcees help attendees get settled and ensure the event runs smoothly.	Another Perspective Before	Full View Before the Reveal
Dedication Ceremony 11/11/2021 - Before the Reveal

The Beginning of the
OC Korean War Memorial Construction

Everything slowly coming together	The corner of the star memorial	The finished plaque at the front of the memorial
The first layer of the plaque	The star memorial coming together	Rough start of the memorial
	Start of Construction The Start of the Memorial's Construction for Our Veterans.	The Plan The Beginning of the OC Korean War Memorial.

The Initial Design Plan for the
OC Korean War Memorial

	Start of the Plan The Beginning of the Memorial's Construction for Our Veterans.

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