June 30 submission deadline; Winners and their companions to receive All-Expenses-Paid VIP Trip to Korea in Sept. 2012; Students and military families are encouraged to submit.

The first US nation-wide essay contest entitled “Korean War Veteran’s Enduring Legacy” will be hosted by Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI USA), a Korean government agency in New York, to pay tributes to Korean War veterans. The contest, a part of the 2012 Body & Seoul – Korean War Veterans & Families Health Appreciation Event, is held in partnership with the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA).

“From the ashes of war, the Korean people today can enjoy our vibrant democracy and coveted economic prosperity. We owe our deep gratitude to the men and women who served to defend the freedom on the Korean peninsula against the reckless aggression from the communist North,” said Amb. Young-mok Kim of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York. “Korean War Veterans’ Enduring Legacy” is a noble and much needed endeavor to preserve the memories of the Korean War veterans and their valor and sacrifices.”

Open to all US Korean War veterans and their families, the commemorative essay contest marks the 59th anniversary of the end of the Korean War, of which date July 27 was proclaimed by President Barak Obama in 2010 as the National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.

One person per veteran’s family (veteran, or a family member) is eligible to submit. Veterans may share his/her own recount of the Korean War, or family members may submit the story of their Korean War Veteran’s enduring legacy (living or deceased).

“As President of the Korean War Veterans Association, Inc., I believe that our members will welcome the opportunity to take part in this US nation-wide essay contest called the “Korean War Veterans Enduring Legacy.” I hope that many of our members or their families throughout the United States will take the time to submit their essay.” Said KWVA president William F. Mac Swain. “As Veterans of the Korean War, we need to take the time to relate to our nation what was accomplished when we stopped communism from spreading around the world. We appreciate the KHIDI USA for undertaking this project.

Two contest winners will receive grand prize of an exclusive, all-expenses-paid VIP trip to Korea for themselves and one additional travel companion each. The prize includes round trip business-class air tickets; hotel accommodation; KWVA Korea Revisit Program — http://bit.ly/e2YIXR — that includes a guided tour to Panmunjom, DMZ, Joint Security Area, Korean Folk Village Tour and banquet hosted by MPVA and KVA. Winners and their companions will also enjoy as part of the trip a health appreciation services at renowned hospitals in Seoul. The trip will take place Sept. 12-19, 2012.

”Since the armistice, the Republic of Korea has progressed by leaps and bounds, especially in the 21st Century’s innovative healthcare and well-being management as a global leader,” said KHIDI USA director-general Do-hyun Cho. “Commemorating the Korean War veterans’ immeasurable sacrifice and courage, we are proud to share Korea’s remarkable postwar achievements with them through this meaningful contest.”

To participate in the contest, submit an essay at least 1,000 words in length, in English, double spaced, and formatted for 8-1/2″ by 11″ paper as attachment. The essay topic is “The Korean War Veteran’s Enduring Legacy,” which should be specified in the email subject line as well. The body of email must contain contestant’s name; relationship to the veteran; veteran’s name, rank and year of service; home address; email; telephone number; and a recent photo of the contestant. All entries with appropriate information and attachments must be submitted to event(at)khidiusa(dot)org via email no later than June 30, 2012. Select entries will be published online and as a print publication to mark the occasion. The winners will be announced in July at an official ceremony in Washington D.C.

For more information, contact KHIDI USA at event(at)khidiusa(dot)org, (646) 380-1143, or visit http://www.KoreanWarEssayContest.org. The essay contest is supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the General Consulate of the Republic of Korea New York, Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH), St. Mary’s Hospital, Chaum and Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine.

About KHIDI: http://www.khidiusa.org
Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), a government institution in the Republic of Korea with offices around the world and in the U.S., is established to promote global healthcare partnerships and business, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, foods and medical tourism.

About KOREAN WAR VETERANS ASSOCIATION: http://www.kwva.org

Korean War and Korea Service Veterans – A Continuity of Service in the Defense of Freedom.