Korean War vets sought
By From staff reports
Published in News on July 2, 2012 1:46 PM
About 1,500 Certificates of Appreciation have been requested through the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs by Korean War veterans and family members as part of the U.S. Department of Defense's June launch of "The Year of the Korean War Veteran."
"The certificates are processed in Washington, D.C., where they are signed by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta," said Tim Wipperman, assistant secretary for Veterans Affairs.
The N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs is working with community groups to host ceremonies where certificates will be presented to recipients.
"The Korean War was sometimes referred to as the 'Forgotten War,' but it's gratifying to see that local groups are so dedicated toward helping to make these presentations special and appropriately patriotic," Wipperman said. "We would love to hear from communities that want to get involved in honoring their heroes and the families that supported them."
Interested organizations are encouraged to call NCDVA at (919) 807-2450. Wipperman said the presentations will continue into 2013, adding that residents of North Carolina's State Veterans Homes who served during the Korean War will be presented get their certificates on Veterans Day in November.
NCDVA records indicate that more than 177,000 North Carolinians served in Korea.
NCDVA has placed a link on the Division website (http://www.doa.nc.gov/vets/KoreanWarForm.aspx ) to provide a Certificate of Appreciation to all Korean War veterans and the family members who supported them. No documentation is necessary and the form can be filled out and submitted online by the veteran, family member or a friend. Requests for certificates may also be downloaded and mailed to: Korean War Veterans Certificate, N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs, 1315 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1315.
In addition to the Certificate of Appreciation, the U.S. Department of Defense encourages any Korean War veteran who would like to share his or her story with the Korean War Commemoration Committee's oral history project to visit http://koreanwar.defense.gov/ or call 703-545-0522.