2024-04-30 14:45:19
“Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr.’s motto was ‘Be there.’ Even on that cold day in November 1950, the deceased was there on Korean soil with his men for his country.” (U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson)
April 29 (local time) Rotunda Hall, 2nd floor, Washington Capitol. House Speaker Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell from the opposition Republican Party, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Amy Klobuchar from the ruling Democratic Party gathered together. They were waiting for the honor guard and the remains of Colonel Puckett Reserve, a Korean War veteran who passed away on the 8th, to be brought to the Rotunda Hall. The leadership of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, regardless of the ruling or opposition parties, put their hands together and showed sincere courtesy.
This day’s event is special and unusual even in the United States. Rotunda Hall is used as a place to pay respects to people who have made great contributions to the country, including current and former presidents. This is the first time that condolences have been held for veterans of the Korean War, which was called the ‘Forgotten War.’
When the event began, Representative McConnell and Representative Klobuchar were the first to offer a moment of silence, followed by Chairman Johnson and Representative Jeffries. Instead of individual parties, democracy and republicanism were paired together. Although the ruling and opposition parties are competing fiercely ahead of the November presidential election, the party affiliation of the national hero was not considered.
On the 12th, both parties proposed and passed a bipartisan resolution to place Colonel Puckett’s remains in the Capitol. In the resolution, the lawmakers stated the purpose of the initiative: “To commemorate the last surviving soldier of the Korean War who received the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States.”
In his memorial address, Chairman Johnson said, “In a few months, my eldest son, Jack, will enter the Naval Academy. I hope that Jack and his comrades can learn from the courage and honor of the deceased.” Chairman McConnell also emphasized, “His courage and self-sacrifice will be a lasting legacy for all soldiers.”
About 200 people, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, attended the event. After the important figures finished laying flowers, Sergeant Esther Kang of the Army Military Band ‘Pershing’s Own’ paid tribute by singing the hymn ‘In the Garden’. Sergeant Kang is Korean-American.
On this morning, a memorial event for Colonel Puckett was held at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, hosted by the Korean War Memorial Foundation. Republican Senator Joni Ernst and Democratic Representative Sanford Bishop, who led the resolution, were in attendance.
Colonel Puckett, born in 1926, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1948 and served as a company commander in the Ranger unit, a special forces unit of the U.S. Army, during the Korean War. He took the lead and defeated the enemy pirates in the Battle of Hill 205 near the Cheongcheon River on November 25, 1950. After being seriously injured, he ordered them to abandon him, but his men refused his orders and saved him. Colonel Puckett received the Medal of Honor from President Joe Biden at the Korea-US summit in May 2021. In April last year, President Yoon Seok-yeol, who made a state visit to the United States, awarded the Taegeuk Military Service Medal, the highest military decoration.
Washington = Correspondent Moon Byeong-ki weappon@donga.com
-
- great
- 0dog
-
- I’m so sad
- 0dog
-
- I’m angry
- 0dog
-
- I recommend it
- dog
Hot news now
2024-04-30 14:45:19