L – R, Harold Koester, Kenneth Fortune, LLoyd Nickles, Kenneth Glaser, Richard Knutson, Walter Thomas, Arnold Anderson, Robert Schilling. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press
Custer County joined together with South Dakota and the Republic of Korea in honoring their Korean War Veterans with the award of the Korean Peace Medal. The local award ceremony was conducted on Tuesday, 12 January, 2016 at the Custer Senior Citizens Center. The event started at 1 pm and concluded at 3 pm. Refreshments and snacks were served.
Officiated by County Veteran Service Officer Ken Irwin, the event was sponsored by Custer Legion Post #46, Custer Senior Center, and Custer VFW Post #3442, The event was attended by approximately 70 veterans, officials, family, friends, and well-wishers packing the Center to capacity.
The event was a segment of a state-wide program of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs. It was actually part of a diplomatic event between South Dakota and the Republic of Korea conducted following the Governor’s State of the State Address. With Ken Irwin as local Master of Ceremonies and through the wonders of South Dakota Public Broadcasting webcast, the local event was well integrated with the Capitol’s ceremonies. All attending truly felt part of the state event.
Custer County’s veterans organizations were proud to be part of this statewide event. All attending were delighted with South Dakota and the Republic of Korea for remembering “their” Korean War Veterans. And our Veterans and their families appreciation for being honored cannot be described. What is certain in their hearts, is that they are “Forgotten No More”.
