USAG HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea –
Two newlyweds are making history as the first active-duty U.S. military and ROK military officer couple at the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division. The bride ROK Army Capt. Ha Neul threw out the ceremonial first pitch, while her husband, U.S. Army Capt. Miles Gabrielson, was the honorary batter before South Korea’s professional baseball game between the Kiwoom Heroes and the Kia Tigers, at Gocheok Sky Dome on June 25, 2021.
“We are thankful for the alliance of the two countries.”
Capt. Miles Gabrielson, U.S. Army
The just-married military couple gladly accepted an invitation from the Ministry of National Defense and the Heroes baseball team to take part in the event, which marks the 71st anniversary of the start of the Korean War as part of a tribute to service members.
“It is an honor to throw the first pitch,” Capt. Ha said. “Today is June 25, which is one of the most meaningful days on the Korean Peninsula.”
The two officers first met last year while serving together at the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Division in Korea, and found they had a lot in common. Both graduated from their nations’ military academies, and grew up in Catholic families sharing the same values including family, respect, and the responsibility of marriage.
“We are thankful for the alliance of the two countries,” Capt. Gabrielson said, adding it is the reason how they met.
The well-matched Army couple would not have tied the knot without the coincidence of having been assigned together at Camp Casey, a U.S. military base in Dongducheon, South Korea. Camp Casey is one of several U.S. Army bases in South Korea near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) approximately 40 miles north of Seoul, South Korea.
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, and the Armistice, signed in July 1953, suspended the full-scale hostilities on the Korean peninsula. Today, 28,500 U.S. service members stand side-by-side with their ROK partners, demonstrating America’s continued commitment to the combined defense of the peninsula.