They are our unsung heroes.
“Korean veterans went through a lot of hard times, severe winters, harsh conditions,” VFW District 26 Commander Joseph Kopsic says.
More than 60 year later, Senator Pat Toomey, along with state representatives, and local VFWs are working to acknowledge the heroic efforts of our veterans that served during the Korean War, with the “Ambassador for Peace” medal.
The medal is not new.
The Korean government had a program called “South Korea Revisit,” where veterans of the Korea War could go back to see firsthand how their sacrifices helped the country to rebuild.
“Most of the veterans are now in their late 70s or early 80s, and realizing that they’re not able to travel to Korea, they want to make sure the eligible veterans still get the medal.”
Folks like Kopsic are making sure veterans in our area are acknowledged.
To be eligible you must have served in Korea at some point between June 25, 1950 and July 27, 1953.
Kopsic says it also includes nurses, clerical, and administrative staff that were assigned there.
It’s easy to apply. You can CLICK HERE for an application. You then print out this application, send it in to one of Senator Toomey’s offices, along with documentation that proves your service.
The deadline for veterans to apply for this award is October 31.