Messengers of Peace, Beauty and Love

The Little Angels Children’s Folk Ballet of Korea kicks off a tour of the world in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War in Washington, D.C. next month.

According to the official website of the tour:

"Washington, D.C. is the place where many soldiers who fought and died in the Korean War are buried in [the] Arlington National Cemetery, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is also the location of the Korean War Memorial Park, Capitol Hill, and the U.S. Congress, and is home to many government organizations. Therefore, it is the most logical place to have the kick-off of the 60th Anniversary Memorial Project. The next city will be Norfolk (VA), where the General Douglas MacArthur Memorial is located. General Douglas MacArthur is the great American hero who commanded the UN troops in the Korean War."

NOTE: On Monday June 7th, the Little Angels will go to Norfolk, VA for an opening ceremony at the Douglas MacArthur Memorial Center.

Dennis Hastert, Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives is listed as the Chairman of the Korean War 60th Anniversary Memorial Committee (or "KW60") with Song Kang listed as Co-Chairman and Dr. Bo Hi Pak also Co-Chairman as well as Executive Director.

Having seen the Little Angels perform in tours past and having met Dr. Pak, as well, I'm fairly sure that "Executive Director" means "main grunt and organizer."

Official supporting entities listed include: The Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; the Korean Tourism Organization; Seoul City; the Korean 6.25 War Veterans Organization; the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs; the National Patriotic Elders Conference; (Approved); the Korean Veterans Association; the Korean Retired Generals & Admirals Association; the ROKMC Veterans Association; the Korean War Veterans, Washington D.C.; the Veterans of Foreign Wars (U.S.A); the Korean War Veterans Association, Inc. (U.S.A.); the U.S.– Korean War Commemoration Foundation(U.S.A.); The American Legion(U.S.A.)and the Disabled American Veterans(U.S.A.).

Civilian supporting entities include: Korean Airlines; Samsung Company; Shin Se Gae; Shin Han Bank; Woori Bank; Daewoo Construction Company; The Federation of Korean Industries; The Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Rotary International and Lions Club International.

What is most notable about this tour beyond the geography (16 nations) is certainly the timing for veterans (though I'm not one), particularly of the Korean Conflict (or "Forgotten War" as it has been called).

This is, quite simply, Korean sincerity, grace, beauty and gratitude expressed on its most grand scale.

The Little Angels truly are messengers of peace, beauty and love.

I highly recommend an evening with them as they forge ahead on this historic whirlwind tour, particularly as they honor the veterans of the 16+ nations who shed their sweat, tears and blood in that never-to-be-forgotten war which began June 25, 1950.

Special free performance dates for Veterans of all wars and their families are being made available, but will likely go quickly (still available as of May 9th, however).

Prices for other dates are set at relatively modest levels.

Check your local newspaper, theater, "supporting entity" or here for further information.

For the Kennedy Center link go here.

Donations for purposes listed below are also being sought here:

* To pay for the Little Angels Performing Art Group's 16-Nation World Tour.
* To subsidize the Revisit program of Korean War Veterans and their families to Korea.
* To start a Scholarship program for the Korean War Veterans familiy members.
* To support Korean War Memorial and Museum programs.
* To support Korean War book publication programs.

Korean War Memorial Committee
5215 Old Orchard Road, Suite 740,
Skokie, IL. 60077