HARRISBURG – The Senate on Monday unanimously approved legislation introduced by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) that would designate July 27 as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day in Pennsylvania.
The Korean War was fought on the Korean Peninsula from 1950 to 1953 and involved North Korea in conflict with South Korea supported by the United States. The United States became involved in the Korean War amid Cold War tensions and the threat of communism spreading into South Korea and throughout Asia. Approximately 36,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces lost their lives in Korea, more than 92,000 were wounded and 8,000 were missing. Tens of thousands endured the brutal hardships of freezing winters, relentless enemy assaults and grueling combat in unforgiving terrain.
Senate Bill 511 would place Korean War Veterans Armistice Day alongside Vietnam Veterans Day (March 29), which Mastriano led the effort on. In addition to honoring Korean War veterans, the bill would help future generations understand their sacrifice. Establishing this day would assist schools, communities and civic organizations in remembering and honoring those who served. It would also preserve freedom’s legacy.
“Without the courage of American troops and our allies, South Korea’s fate could have mirrored that of North Korea – a dictatorship marked by oppression and suffering,” said Mastriano. “Despite this adversity, their sacrifice ensured that South Korea remained free, sparing millions from the horrors of totalitarian rule. Today, South Korea stands as a thriving democracy and an economic powerhouse, a testament to the valor of those who fought for its survival. The Korean War was not just a battle for territory; it was a battle for freedom. We owe it to those who fought and died to assure that their legacy is never forgotten.”
Click here for Mastriano’s floor remarks.
Mastriano’s Senate Bill 511 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Constituents of the 33rd Senatorial District can learn more about Mastriano by visiting his website at SenatorMastriano.com or following him on Facebook at Facebook.com/SenatorDougMastriano.
CONTACT: Don Beishl, 717-787-6701