LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the sacrifices and saluting the service
of those veterans who are members of the New York Korean Veterans of the
Vietnam War Association

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor the sacri-
fices and salute the service of those veterans who are members of the
New York Korean Veterans of the Vietnam War Association; and
WHEREAS, The United States holds freedom, democracy, and self-determi-
nation as its highest ideals; the United States entered the Vietnam War
to protect those ideals for the people of South Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, During the Vietnam War, more than 325,000 soldiers from the
Republic of Korea fought alongside American troops; and
WHEREAS, From 1964 until the last troops left Vietnam on March 23,
1973, their unwavering support in the fight for freedom and democracy
resulted in nearly 5,100 Korean soldiers giving their lives and almost
11,000 being wounded in that effort; and
WHEREAS, While six other nations and many people from the region
assisted and fought alongside U.S. soldiers, the Republic of Korea was
second only to the United States in the number of combat troops deployed
to Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, The Korean troops were known throughout the conflict for
their fierce combat skills fighting alongside their brothers in arms;
and
WHEREAS, Approximately 95 percent of Korean veterans of the Vietnam
War living in the United States are American citizens; many still suffer
from the emotional, physical, and psychological effects resulting from
their participation in that conflict; and
WHEREAS, The people of this State, and our community in particular,
owe a profound debt of gratitude to those citizens of the Republic of
Korea who answered the call to protect and defend those liberties and
values held so dear; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the sacrifices and salute the service of those veterans who are
members of the New York Korean Veterans of the Vietnam War Association;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed be trans-
mitted to Mr. Myungkook Lee, President, New York Korean Veterans of the
Vietnam War Association.