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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release June 25, 2000

             PRESIDENT CLINTON TO ADDRESS CEREMONY MARKING 
                THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR
     Korean War Veterans Memorial, West Potomac Park, Washington, D.C.

Today, President Clinton will address the ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Korean War at the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the Mall. The Opening Ceremony is to thank and honor Korean War veterans and their families, particularly those who lost loved ones during the conflict. The twenty-one nations that served with the United States during the Korean War will each provide a wreath to be placed at the Korean War Veteran's Memorial.

The official event kicks-off the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration period which will run through Veterans Day, November 11, 2003. President Clinton will serve as the Keynote Speaker for the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Opening Ceremony. Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen will host the ceremony, which will begin at 4:00 PM adjacent to the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the Mall. Other members of the official program include: Korean Ambassador to the United States, The Honorable Hong-Koo Lee, Korean War Veteran, Senator John Glenn and Singer Connie Stevens who entertained the American troops with the USO during the war. Also joining the President will be the Service Secretaries, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, several members of Congress, representatives from the government of the Republic of Korea, and Ambassadors of the 21 nations that served with the United Nations in Korea.

Some of the afternoon's activities will include: a fly-over of helicopters and Korean War era vintage aircraft, as well as jet aircraft in the traditional "Missing Man" formation, posting of the Colors by a Joint Service Color Guard, Invocation by Korean War Chaplain John H. Craven, entertainment by Connie Stevens, Benediction by Korean War Chaplain Samuel Sobel and wreath laying by President Clinton at the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

Sequence of Events: Posting of the colors National Anthem Retiring of the colors Invocation by Chaplain John H. Craven, USN Retired Secretary William S. Cohen makes remarks Korean Ambassador to the United States, The Honorable Hong-Koo Lee makes brief remarks and presents Korean War Service Medals to six veterans Connie Stevens, USAF Band, and Singing Sergeants perform American Heroes General Myers makes brief remarks Senator Glenn makes brief remarks Secretary Cohen introduces the President The President makes brief remarks Connie Stevens performs God Bless America Aerial review of Korean War aircraft During the aerial review the President and Ambassador Lee will depart the stage escorted by General Ivany, Commander of the Military District of Washington General Ivany will escort the President to the base of the walkway to the Korean War Veterans Memorial for the wreath-laying After the aerial review the President will proceed up the walkway passing Honor Guard members from each of the 21 countries that participated in the war. My Country 'Tis of Thee is performed during this walk. At the apex of the memorial, the President and Ambassador Lee will place a wreath at the memorial Taps will be played while the President and Ambassador Lee remain in place at the wreath The benediction will be delivered by Chaplain Sobel, USN Retired

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