U.S. forces receive a piece of history from Republic of Korea

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stefanie Torres
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Service members stationed across the Korean peninsula are getting a special gift this year from the Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs as a thank you for their service and sacrifice.

All service members received a special edition, framed portion of wire fence from the demilitarized zone that separates North and South Korea.

Approximately 155 miles of fence was laid across the DMZ and symbolizes war and separation, but it's also symbolic of hope that one day the fence could be removed and Korea would become a unified, peaceful nation, according to the statement on the gift.

"The MPVA comes out once a year and distributes a gift to all of us, and it's great to be able to pass them out to the troops, said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Vigier, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command at Camp Henry. "It's really amazing to get them. Being here is really about relationship building, and we are so grateful."

The VMPA, equivalent to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has been providing gifts to service members since 1988, explained To Yong Pak, U.S. Forces Korea Public Affairs. A formal presentation to the USFK commander and other U.S. government officials happened before the New Year as a token of gratitude.

"We received these gifts from our friends for continued support and friendship over the past 60 years," said Master Sgt. Stanley Scott, 607th Air Support Operations Group first sergeant. "This really shows where the rubber meets the pavement with alliances and friendship, and that's a real big part of why I joined the military. It's about being a part of something bigger than yourself, and it means so much when we can celebrate this as a group."

The gift also contains a night satellite picture of the Korean peninsula with both Korean and American flags crossing together as a symbol of partnership.