Georgia Korean War veterans remembered at state capitol

Sunny K Park • August 12, 2024

Georgia Korean War veterans remembered at state capitol



Staff Writer: Athens Banner-Herald

The America-Korea Friendship Society hosted a commemorative observance at the Rotunda in the Georgia State Capitol Building in Atlanta on July 27.


July 27 marked the 62nd anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War, and the ceremony was to remember the 740 Georgians killed in the Korean War and to honor all Korean War Veterans who reside in Georgia. Wreaths were laid by fellow Korean War Veterans, Korean Government officials, Korean-American Association of Greater Atlanta members and the Atlanta Rotary Club.


Among attendees were Sunny Park, president of the America Korea Friendship Society; Frank Blake, retired chairman of Home Depot; Commissioner Mike Roby from the Georgia Department of Veterans Service; retired Col. Ben Malcom, a 2014 inductee into Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame and Korean War veteran; retired Gen. Larry Ellis, chair of the American Korea Friendship Society; Brigadier Gen. Joseph Jarrad, adjutant general in Georgia; Brigadier Gen. David Turner, commander in the South Atlantic Division, Army Corps of Engineers; and retired Col. Rick White, chairman of the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame.


The Hope Johns Creek Korean American Youth Orchestra provided musical interludes.


reference: https://www.onlineathens.com/story/lifestyle/around-town/2015/08/10/georgia-korean-war-veterans-remembered-state-capitol/15486650007/

Speech on General Mike Scaprrotti’s Liberty Award celebration 10 Dec 2025

By Sunny K Park • January 3, 2026
Sunny K. Park, President, American Korean Friendship Society Good evening! I would like to express my gratitude to ICAS and Dr. Kim for granting me the opportunity to offer remarks about tonight's honoree. General Scaparrotti's distinguished military career is widely recognized for its exceptional achievements. I first met General Scaparrotti in Korea at his change of command ceremony; an event officiated by General Dempsey. At the time, I attended as a guest of General Thurman, the outgoing commander, while General Scaparrotti assumed leadership of US Forces in Korea. In subsequent years, specifically from 2022 to 2024, I had the privilege of working alongside General Scaparrotti during his tenure as Chairman of the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA), where I serve on the Advisory Board. Upon taking on this role, General Scaparrotti promptly initiated a conference call with me to gain comprehensive insight into KDVA’s operations. Our conversation lasted over an hour and encompassed both the organization's history and strategic direction. As you can tell, I was one of about 2 dozen leaders of KDVA. I found General Scaparrotti’s genuine commitment to effective leadership and organizational excellence particularly noteworthy. I wish to highlight several personal anecdotes shared by his Korean colleagues. Throughout his nearly forty-year service, he demonstrated unwavering respect for fallen soldiers by displaying their photographs in his office and providing continued support to their families. Notably, in 2015, following an incident in which two Korean Army sergeants were injured by a landmine, General Scaparrotti was the first to visit them in the hospital, encouraging their recovery. Under General Scaparrotti's leadership, KDVA has flourished, further reinforcing the US-Korea alliance. His exemplary leadership and selfless dedication have significantly enhanced the strength and vitality of this crucial partnership. It is my honor to congratulate General Mike Scaparrotti on receiving this year’s ICAS Liberty Award—a recognition that is truly well deserved.

Iconic Sculpture Honoring Veterans’ Sacrifices to be Dedicated at Sandy Springs Park

By Sunny K Park • July 11, 2025
The newly opened Veterans Park is located on the parcel of land between Roswell Road, Johnson Ferry Road, and Mt. Vernon Highway.

The Ellis Island Honors Society honors the importance of immigration to America’s prosperity

By Sunny K Park • March 11, 2025
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