YONGSAN GARRISON, Seoul, Republic of Korea – Members of the Combined Forces Command came together to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the founding of Combined Forces Command, Nov. 7, in a ceremony held here.

During the ceremony, eight servicemen from the Republic of Korea and eight from the U.S.  received awards for their contributions to the command. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, commander of Combined Forces Command and Gen. Leem, Ho Young, deputy commander of Combine Forces Command presented the awards.

Quoting a letter from Gen. John W. Vessey, Jr., who was the USFK commander at the time, to Minister of National Defense Ro Je Hyun, Gen. Brooks said, "With activation of Combined Forces Command, our two nations together have intensified efforts to guarantee the peace on the Korean Peninsula.” wrote Vessey. “Peace is kept because together, we are ever vigilance and ready to fight and win should the need arrive."

Combined Forces Command was founded Nov. 7, 1978 in a bilateral agreement between the Republic of Korea and the United States. The command is staffed by Korean and American service members who work side-by-side every day.