‘Good Neighboring Day’ ’07 brings Korean culture to Fort Gordon YCA cadets

“If Sunny can, I can,” was the theme of the morning lectures that Sunny Park, founder of the Good Neighboring Foundation, gave to more than 200 Youth Challenge Academy Cadets at Fort Gordon, near Augusta in mid-October.

The morning started with a brief history of the Good Neighboring Foundation, which was designed by Park to bring a day of Korean culture and encouragement to the cadets of the YCA programs all over the country.

Park began the program with a brief history of Korea and of himself, telling many stories about how he came to the United States and used the opportunity to become a successful businessman.

Success was the overall theme of the morning lectures from both Park and Karen Handel, Georgia’s Secretary of State.

“We all want to be a part of your success,” said Park. “I don’t waste my time and effort on anyone, you are worthwhile and we want to help you.

“Everything you need to be successful, you have,” said Park. “You have to know what you are doing, have a road map and know where you are going.”

Handel had similar advice for the cadets.

“Nobody is going to care about you unless you care about yourself,” she said. “Never let where you came from hold you back, but never forget where you came from.”

After Handel finished, the day’s entertainment began. A demonstration team from the Taegeukwon Taekwondo Academy of Augusta, performed. This team later spent an hour with the cadets teaching them the basics of the discipline of Taekwondo.

Before the taekwondo classes, the cadets were treated to a Korean style meal with Bul-gokee, marinated and charbroiled beef; goon-mandoo, a type of potato stick; chap-chae, potato noodles marinated in sesame seed and Korean sauce; and Kimchi, Korean cabbages and radishes salad with Korean Spice.

The Good neighboring Foundation was started in 1996 to help Korean immigrants learn American culture. It encouraged these immigrants to use Asian values and heritage for the betterment of their adoped country.

An exhibition of Taekwondo such as breaking a board with powerful kick (at right) impressed cadets.

Read more: http://www.dod.state.ga.us/pages/goodneighboringday_07.html