Thomas Daschle: “On July 27, 1953, our country signed an armistice agreement that ended the Korean War after 3 years of devastating…”

“On July 27, 1953, our country signed an armistice agreement that ended the Korean War after 3 years of devastating combat. Yesterday marked the 50th anniversary of the war's end. Today I rise to honor the courage and sacrifice of the military veterans who fought this war and to proclaim that our country has not forgotten their service. More than 1.8 million Americans fought on the front lines of our battle to defend freedom and democracy on the Korean Peninsula. They joined with allies from 21 different nations to ensure that the people of South Korea would not be ruled by the tyranny and oppression of communism. More than 36,500 soldiers committed the ultimate sacrifice in this effort, and another 103,000 Americans were wounded in some of the bloodiest and most traumatic fighting the world has ever seen. Currently, around 12,000 veterans of the conflict live in South Dakota. They are now among the elder statesmen of our country's long lineage of heroism, true role models to our youth and an inspiration to those service members now fighting around the world against terrorism and brutal dictatorship.”