PANMUNJOM, South Korea –
Leaders from the United Nations Command and the Neutral Nations
Supervisory Commission gathered at the Freedom House by the South Korean
demilitarized zone on Sunday, July 27th to recognize the 61st anniversary of the armistice that ended the Korean war.
Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander of United Nations Command (UNC),
Combined Forces Command and United States Forces Korea spoke at the
event, and echoed the words President Dwight D. Eisenhower said 61 years
prior when establishing the armistice.
”With special feelings of sorrow – and of solemn gratitude – we think
of those who were called upon to lay down their lives … to prove once
again that only courage and sacrifice can keep freedom alive upon the
earth.” Gen. Scaparrotti said.
Gen. Scaparrotti ensured the crowd of close to one-hundred that the
Armistice and the United Nations Command were intent on keeping the
security and stability the armistice provides.
“The United Nations Command will not falter in its mission to carry out
the terms of the Armistice Agreement,” Gen. Scaparrotti said, “and
will continue to represent the will of the international community in an
effort to bring free peoples one step nearer to their goal of a world
at peace.”
Gen. Scaparrotti also explained how much the armistice has allowed South Korea to prosper.
“It is through the strong spirit of camaraderie and determination that
the Republic of Korea was able to transform from a nation devastated by
war to a global, economic and cultural leader; a free and open
democracy; and the world’s 12th largest economy,” said Scaparrotti.
The UNC Commander was joined in speaking by leaders from the Republic
of Korea military and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.
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