Photos by Jackie Hanusey

The following is a speech written and read by Mila Choi from South Korea, a 12th-grader at Atlantic Christian School during the school’s Veterans Day ceremony:
In 1950, June 25, the most sorrowful war occurred, The Korean War. Brothers and sisters, in the same nation, fighting because of their different ideologies. Today, Korea is split into two countries. North Korea ascended as a communist nation, while South Korea maintains as a democracy.
The war was longer than what people had anticipated. It destroyed nearly all of the topographic area, turning Korea into a barren wasteland.
At that time, there were patrons and politicians alike who came to help South Korea so that they could sustain democracy. They came from the opposite side of the globe. They didn't have friends, loved ones or acquaintances in Korea; instead they came to help protect Korea from the vicious grip of communism.
The men that came to Korea's aid, the men that left loved ones at home, women and children, the men that stared death in its face and fought to protect the freedom of others, we call them "veterans."
Everyone is familiar with the name General Douglas MacArthur, whose name rings out in history books around the world. If it wasn't for his untiring strength, dedication and leadership, the result of the Korean War might have had a different ending. General MacArthur's influence and decision spawned a certain mindset in bringing the war to a close, a mindset that had the confidence and courage to vow a victory against the enemy.
According to veterans today, Korea and the United States have a very close relationship with each other. South Korea maintains an alliance in helping the United States as its closest partner.
Today Korea finds itself again joining alliance with the United States and many other countries. The South Korean government has maintained its support and alliance with the USA by sending the "Zaytun Division" to Iraq to assist American troops in fighting terrorist groups in Iraq. Korea also played a major part by sending troops to sweep the terrorist leg in Afghanistan and Somalia during the major outbreak of terroristic activity after 9/11.
The United States has helped us keep democracy in our country and it is the veterans who made the most important contribution to the future of Korea.
I, myself, am from Korea. It was your bravery and sacrifice, dear veterans and soldiers, which gave me my freedom. Without your courage, those that have come before and after you would have had no inspiration, to continue to carry on the sworn call of duty in protecting the nations of the world.  Today's youth cannot even begin to understand the burdens of the past, carried by U.S. soldiers, who were the building blocks of freedom as we know it.
Throughout history we have often asked, “What defines a ‘hero’?” Over history, the definition becomes more and more clear. A hero is someone who puts the needs of others before himself, one who sees the purpose of a certain “cause” over his own agenda, and moves for change and action with courage and conviction.
If you look throughout history and read about those who accomplished great things that brought about massive change for the better, one thing remains evident. They did not always know "how" they were going to do it. They only knew that they were "going" to do it, and that's just what U.S. veterans did.
General Hal B. Moore, who led the 7th Cavalry in the Vietnam War, best described U.S. veterans and fighting soldiers. "The American Soldier is truly an amazing being. American soldiers in battle don't fight for what some president says on TV; they don't fight for mom, apple pie or the American flag. They fight for one another.”
U.S. veterans were called to protect the people of the world. They looked out for one another as brothers in arms. They fought for each other and at the same time, fought for this country and my country.
I can honestly and whole-heartedly say that there is no one that I have more gratitude and appreciation for than those that fought for my freedom. To the veterans of the United States military, thank you with all my heart and may we never, ever forget the sacrifices that you gave, so that we, today, could say, “The United States Of America, The Land Of The Free and The Home Of The Brave!”