Organizers predict an “eclectic mix” of people will on hand to honor military veterans, ponder peace and observe the anniversary of the cease-fire treaty marking the end of hostilities of The Korean War, signed on July 27, 1953. The 8th Annual Armistice Day Peace Concert and Vigil begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday along the National Mall near the reflecting pool. The gathering will remember the three-year “Forgotten War,” which drew 1.8 million Americans into battle; 33,739 died in combat on Korean soil, 103,284 were wounded.
Hosted by the interest group Remember 727, the event includes a wreath-laying ceremony led by the Scottish American Military Society and Korean American community leaders. A candle-light vigil will take place at symbolically at 7:27 p.m., led by Friends of Korea - a group of former Peace Corps volunteers who served in Korea.
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The speakers include David Do, director of the DC Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs; Ashenafi Kebede, who fought in the Korean War as part of the Imperial Ethiopian Bodyguard; Derrick Dockery, former Redskins guard and grandson of Korean War veteran and founder of Yellow Ribbons United, Chahee Stanfield. Performers include the acoustic duo Ross and Evans, the Korean American Youth Performing Artists and Ethiopian performers from the Washington area.
The event will be emceed by Sam Yoon, former Boston City Councilman and President of Council of Korean Americans, and Jennifer Yoo, a broadcaster at Voice of America.
“Meet rain or shine. Candles, light snack, and water provided,” a spokesperson advises.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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