A rush of adrenaline surged through my body as I scanned the hall. This was it. All the work has finally came to this moment. I saw the wisdom-etched faces of the NZ-Korean War Veterans, the eager children, the proud moms and dads and other interested parties in front of me. Nervously, I opened my mouth to announce, “On behalf of the Tauranga Korean students, I warmly welcome you to the Korean War Veterans Appreciation Ceremony.”
My passion for history was the beginning idea for that day’s event, which was designed to honor the NZ-Korean War veterans who helped Korea during the hardest time in our history. Reminiscing about the great history of our elders was the pivotal purpose of this event and a welcome reminder that they are the reason why we can live peaceful …show more content…
A flurry of presentations showcasing many unique aspects of Korean culture made the day go by in a blur. At one point, giggles erupted as a girl poked her hand through the oversized tiger’s head to imitate how the tongue moves. This was an integral part of the Talchum where six girls performed a Korean traditional mask dance. I loved having the opportunity to give the veterans and the audience an occasion to laugh as Mark Twain noted, “humor is mankind's greatest blessing”.
Proud. A sense of euphoria came over me as I witnessed the veterans being moved and reveling in the opportunity to be with their old friends. Additionally, as a group of young Koreans, we were able to dignify their contribution through the many ways we presented modern Korean culture. As young men, they did not anticipate the impact their sacrifice would have on Korea today.
Gratitude. While packing up the final bits and pieces, I reflected on how grateful I was to have experienced this life-changing event. Although the sense of accomplishment during this process was significant, it was the veterans’ reaction which was the most rewarding. Even though this was only a snapshot in time, it will remain a life time highlight for
My passion for history was the beginning idea for that day’s event, which was designed to honor the NZ-Korean War veterans who helped Korea during the hardest time in our history. Reminiscing about the great history of our elders was the pivotal purpose of this event and a welcome reminder that they are the reason why we can live peaceful …show more content…
A flurry of presentations showcasing many unique aspects of Korean culture made the day go by in a blur. At one point, giggles erupted as a girl poked her hand through the oversized tiger’s head to imitate how the tongue moves. This was an integral part of the Talchum where six girls performed a Korean traditional mask dance. I loved having the opportunity to give the veterans and the audience an occasion to laugh as Mark Twain noted, “humor is mankind's greatest blessing”.
Proud. A sense of euphoria came over me as I witnessed the veterans being moved and reveling in the opportunity to be with their old friends. Additionally, as a group of young Koreans, we were able to dignify their contribution through the many ways we presented modern Korean culture. As young men, they did not anticipate the impact their sacrifice would have on Korea today.
Gratitude. While packing up the final bits and pieces, I reflected on how grateful I was to have experienced this life-changing event. Although the sense of accomplishment during this process was significant, it was the veterans’ reaction which was the most rewarding. Even though this was only a snapshot in time, it will remain a life time highlight for