Honoring the Forgotten War: Mt. Soledad Hosts Korean War Veterans Tribute & 73rd Anniversary of the U.S.–ROK Alliance
On Saturday, August 22nd, Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial was graced by the presence of history.
In partnership with the Korean Veterans Association of San Diego and the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA), the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association hosted a special commemorative ceremony honoring Korean War veterans and celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the United States–Republic of Korea (U.S.–ROK) Alliance. The ceremony brought together American and Korean veterans, active-duty service members, community leaders, and families — united by a shared commitment to remembrance and a deep respect for the bond between two nations forged in the fires of conflict.
A War Worth Remembering
The Korean War — often called the Forgotten War — began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean armed forces launched a full-scale invasion across the 38th Parallel into the Republic of Korea. Over three years of brutal conflict followed. More than 36,000 American service members lost their lives. More than 100,000 were wounded. Over 7,000 remain missing in action to this day. An estimated 137,000 ROK military personnel were also killed, along with millions of civilian casualties.
The war ended not with a peace treaty, but with an armistice — a ceasefire that has held for 73 years, sustained by the enduring alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea.
Saturday's ceremony was a powerful reminder that this war — and the veterans who fought it — must never be forgotten.
A Ceremony of Honor
The program featured a plaque dedication honoring Korean War veterans and fallen heroes, keynote remarks by Korean-American veterans and community leaders, the U.S. and ROK National Anthems, a traditional Korean dance performance, and a heartfelt tribute to all who served during the conflict.
Baik Hwang-ki, President of the Korean Veterans Association of San Diego and representative of the KDVA, spoke to the enduring significance of the alliance: "Our veterans embody the spirit of courage that built the ROK-U.S. Alliance 73 years ago. Under our shared commitment — 'Together for the ROK–U.S. Alliance' — we gather to ensure that the sacrifices of our veterans and fallen heroes are never forgotten by future generations."
Neil O'Connell, Executive Director of the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association, reflected on what made this gathering so meaningful: "Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial exists to preserve the selfless stories of our nation's heroes, and the brave service members of the Korean War represent a cornerstone of that mission. Gathering here at Mt. Soledad — set against the backdrop of the 73rd anniversary of the U.S.–ROK Alliance — allows us to pay tribute to the courage, strength, and unity of all veterans who served in defense of freedom."
Sacred Ground for a Sacred Alliance
Mt. Soledad is uniquely positioned to host ceremonies like this one. The memorial features dedicated black granite plaques commemorating Korean War units, fallen heroes, and joint veteran associations — including the Korean Association of Korean War Veterans of San Diego. As one of the only national memorials that honors both living and deceased veterans across every era of American conflict, Mt. Soledad stands as a beacon of freedom and a gathering place for communities to come together in remembrance.
San Diego's deep ties to the military community — home to one of the largest concentrations of active-duty military, retirees, and Korean-American veterans in the United States — make it a natural home for this kind of cross-cultural, cross-generational commemoration.
The Alliance Lives On
The U.S.–ROK Alliance, formalized by the 1953 Mutual Defense Treaty, has evolved over seven decades from a wartime military pact into a comprehensive global strategic partnership. Today, more than 28,500 U.S. service personnel remain stationed alongside ROK forces — a living testament to the commitment made by the veterans we honored on Saturday.
Their sacrifice built something that endures. And it is our honor — and our responsibility — to make sure it is never forgotten.
Honor a Korean War Veteran at Mt. Soledad
If you have a loved one who served during the Korean War — or any era of military service — there is no more meaningful way to preserve their story than with a personalized plaque at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.
👉 Dedicate a plaque today at soledadmemorial.org/order-a-plaque
We don't just preserve names. We protect the American Story.
