2
3
4
5
6
7 Cosponsors:
8 J. Stuart Adams
9 Curtis S. Bramble
10 Allen M. Christensen
11 Jim Dabakis
12 Gene Davis
13 Margaret Dayton
14 Luz Escamilla
15 Lincoln Fillmore
16 Wayne A. Harper
Deidre M. Henderson
Lyle W. Hillyard
David P. Hinkins
Alvin B. Jackson
Scott K. Jenkins
Peter C. Knudson
Mark B. Madsen
Karen Mayne
Ann Millner
Wayne L. Niederhauser
Ralph Okerlund
Brian E. Shiozawa
Howard A. Stephenson
Jerry W. Stevenson
Daniel W. Thatcher
Stephen H. Urquhart
Kevin T. Van Tassell
Evan J. Vickers
Todd Weiler
17
18 LONG TITLE
19 General Description:
20 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor honors efforts to help
21 Utah Korean War veterans receive the "Ambassador for Peace Medal."
22 Highlighted Provisions:
23 This resolution:
24 ▸ honors the efforts of retired Marine Corps sergeants John Cole and Jay Wells to
25 help Utah Korean War veterans receive the "Ambassador for Peace Medal"; and
26 ▸ expresses gratitude to Utah Korean War veterans for their service and sacrifice.
27 Special Clauses:
28 None
29
30 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
31 WHEREAS, the Korean War is often called "The Forgotten War" or "The Unknown
32 War";
33 WHEREAS, properly remembering veterans who fought in a conflict often described as
34 "forgotten" is an essential expression of true gratitude;
35 WHEREAS, efforts are underway to see that all Utah combat veterans of the Korean
36 War are located and recognized for their sacrifice;
37 WHEREAS, these efforts began in 2012 when John Cole, a retired sergeant in the
38 United States Marine Corps and veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, addressed
39 questions about his service from a young South Korean journalist while attending an event in
40 Washington, D.C., commemorating the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War;
41 WHEREAS, other reporters and photographers, who spoke little or no English, listened
42 carefully as Cole shared his story as the first journalist acted as interpreter;
43 WHEREAS, through these exchanges, Cole came to realize the South Korean people
44 are deeply grateful for those who helped save their nation;
45 WHEREAS, Cole related that South Koreans do not see the Korean War as "The
46 Forgotten War" but as the "Remembered War" because they still have a nation;
47 WHEREAS, when Cole returned home, he felt compelled to do more to highlight the
48 service of Utah's Korean War veterans;
49 WHEREAS, Cole worked with Jay Wells, also a retired sergeant in the United States
50 Marine Corps and veteran of the Vietnam War, to brainstorm what to do next;
51 WHEREAS, within a few short weeks, the two men forged connections to those in the
52 business community that do work for the South Korean government, officials at the Consulate
53 General of the Republic of Korea in San Francisco, and even those that talk directly to the
54 President of the Republic of South Korea;
55 WHEREAS, arrangements were made for Utah combat veterans of the Korean War to
56 receive the "Ambassador for Peace Medal" from the Republic of Korea;
57 WHEREAS, the costs for the medals are paid for entirely by the South Korean
58 government;
59 WHEREAS, to receive the medal, a veteran must be from Utah and have served in
60 combat during the Korean War between June 25, 1950, and July 27, 1953;
61 WHEREAS, the Utah Department of Veterans' and Military Affairs assisted with the
62 first medal ceremony, held in the Utah Capitol Rotunda in September 2014, and have
63 continued to assist with seven subsequent ceremonies;
64 WHEREAS, members of the Republic of Korea's government, including Han
65 Dong-Man, consul general of the Republic of Korea, have been present at each ceremony to
66 recognize the assembled veterans and their families;
67 WHEREAS, Dong-Man has stated, "Without the heroism, valor and sacrifice of these
68 Korean War veterans, our country would not have the peace, prosperity and economic growth
69 that we enjoy today";
70 WHEREAS, since 2013, Cole's and Wells's efforts have enabled about 1,000 Utahns to
71 receive the Republic of South Korea's "Ambassador for Peace Medal";
72 WHEREAS, approximately 17,000 Utahns served in the Korean War;
73 WHEREAS, at each ceremony, Cole and Wells learn of more Utah Korean War
74 veterans, and they know there are many more Utah combat veterans of the Korean War yet to
75 be honored; and
76 WHEREAS, Cole has said, "Some people have told us it's a project we'll never finish,
77 but what are we supposed to do? It's a lot of work, tracking all these names down, but we want
78 to get everyone we possibly can":
79 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
80 Governor concurring therein, honors the efforts of retired Marine Corps sergeants John Cole
81 and Jay Wells who have helped Korean War veterans receive the "Ambassador for Peace
82 Medal."
83 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor express gratitude
84 to every Utah combat veteran of the Korean War for their service and sacrifice.
85 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah
86 Department of Veterans' and Military Affairs, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea
87 in San Francisco, the President of the Republic of Korea, John Cole, and Jay Wells.