UNMCK - UNITED NATIONS MEMORIAL CEMETERY IN KOREA

Dear Korean War Veteran, Hello sir! I am Bakkyeom, a student from Korea. You can call me BK, since my name is hard to pronounce. I write this letter to thank you about what you have done for us in the Korean war. I thought that it would be nice to introduce you to a part of my life. I had lived in Singapore for 5 years since I was 4. When I was near 10, I came back to Korea and started my new life here. I made many new friends, had lots of fun with them, and improved myself in many different ways. Currently, I am attending to HAFS, a good Korean high school. I’m happy with my life and enjoying myself a lot these days. I wanted you to know all this because this is all thanks to you. You fought bravely for a country that probably didn’t have anything related to you. You risked your life to protect people you didn’t even know. You sacrificed yourself and gifted us with peace. Our country wasn’t in a great condition after the war rested. People were starving and buildings were broken. Everyone was poor, and it was like we had to start from scratch. However, we managed to progress forward, step by step. The people worked hard, going to foreign countries and working without sleep. It was harsh work, yet it all added up to the development of Korea. Now, most of the people in Korea aren’t starving like they used to. There are large buildings and cities, and it is influencing the world, in some parts. What you left us with wasn’t desolation. It was hope. It was a seed. A seed that grew to give us fruits. What you fought for and protected let our country to flourish and be in its current state. I talked about something big, so now I’ll talk about what you accomplished in a smaller view. Well, you saved the lives of countless people, and protected their homes. Also, you let me live the life I talked about in the first part. Without you, I wouldn’t have my friends I have now, and I wouldn’t have enjoyed my life as much. I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have now, too. In fact, I wonder if I would have been ever born if it wasn’t for your courage. In this way, you saved thousands, no, millions of lives throughout Korea, giving them better circumstances and a brighter future. I really thank you for the life you have given us. Again, I sincerely thank you for the sacrifice you have made. It must have been a hard choice to make, and I know that you could have had hard times. However, I wish that you will know that what you have done is worth it. You gave better lives to millions of people, including mine. You are a hero to us, and rightful of admiration and respect. Thank you so much! From BK, a Korean student living well thanks to you