Former NFL players Fred Smoot, Rocky McIntosh, and Dereck Faulkner Join to Honor Heroes of the “Forgotten War”

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NBC Early Today Richard Lui, Emcee of Armistice Day Peace Concert & Vigil, Shares Story of His Uncle’s Patriotism as Veterans in the Korean War

Washington, DC – On Saturday, July 27th evening from 6:00-8:00pm, the 6th Annual Armistice Day Peace Concert & Vigil open to the general public will take place in front of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, following the Department of Defense’s official morning ceremony in which President Barack Obama will deliver his remarks to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Day.

Hosted by Remember727.org, a non-profit group made up of local volunteers, the event will culminate in the lighting of 727 candles at 7:27pm to honor the sacrifices of the Korean War Veterans, to remember the “Forgotten Victory,” and to hope for peace on the Korean Peninsula, and elsewhere conflict persists.

Emceed by NBC Early Today anchor Richard Lui, features will include an outdoor screening of the Dept. of Defense KW60’s “Heroes Remembered: Voices of Korean War Veterans” in partnership with G.I.Film Festival, and award-winning Korean War documentary, “FADING AWAY,” as well as performances by Kollaboration DC, and a massive photo exhibition of the Korean War.

Maryland Veterans Affairs Secretary Ed Chow, Former NFL players Fred Smoot, Rocky McIntosh, and Dereck Faulkner (also founder of Athletes for Vets), IAVA members, and other special guests will attend.

•    Meet rain or shine. Candles, light snack, and water provided.
•    Free raffle tickets to win prizes, including roundtrip ticket to Seoul.
•    First 727 registrants will receive goodie bags.
•    Celebrate the victory won by our Forgotten Heroes.
Visit www.remember727.org for more information.

The Korean War was not just a war between Koreans. From 1950-1953, 1.8 million American men and women served in the Korean War, including 600,000 African Americans, 25,000 Japanese Americans, 20,000 Chinese Americans, and 148,000 Hispanic Americans. The U.S. suffered 54,246 casualties and 8,176+ plus POW/MIAs.

In total, the Korean War involved 26 nations: UN Allied (23) -Republic of Korea, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Naval Support/Service: Japan, Medical: Denmark, Italy, Norway, India, Sweden; Communist Forces (3)- Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, People’s Republic of China, Soviet Union.

The Korean War claimed lives of more than 2.5 million Koreans and separated more than 10 million Korean families, including 100,000 Korean Americans who have yet to meet their families in the North.

The 3-mile wide buffer zone between the two Koreas, known as the DMZ, is the most heavily armed border in the world. Today the Two Koreas remain the only divided nation in the world and is technically at war.