Posted on 09/09/2008 12:33:50 PM PDT by rrstar96
The Marines and Incheon City yesterday celebrated the 58th anniversary of the Incheon landing, one of the most significant military operations during the Korean War.
The Marine Headquarters and Incheon City co-hosted the celebrations held at Incheon's Freedom Park and Weolmido with an audience of over 1,000 war veterans, citizens and soldiers.
The event started by laying flowers at the statue of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and in the waterfront of Weolmido, which was the main route for the landing operation more than half a century ago.
The Incheon landing operation was carried out by United Nations forces on Sept. 15, 1950 with 261 naval vessels and 75,000 troops. The military operation dramatically turned the tide of the 1950-53 Korean War, counterattacking the North Koreans to recover Seoul.
The Marines said this year's celebrations were held in the largest scale to date in order to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Korean military on Oct. 1.
A transport ship and landing ship tanks were used to reenact the landing, along with 26 Korean amphibious assault vehicles and 10 helicopters.
A total of 375 military staff from the Marines and the ground and naval forces also participated in yesterday's event.
"The Korean and United States forces overcame all kinds of adverse circumstances 58 years ago to conduct the Incheon landing operation, which became a turning point for rescuing our country from a crisis," said Marines commander Lee Hong-hee in a celebratory speech.
He emphasized that were it not for the 3,200 heroes who sacrificed their lives, Koreans would not be enjoying democracy today.
Before and after the ceremony, taekwondo experts from the Army and military bands performed for civilians who attended the event. The armed forces also conducted an honor guard ceremony.
South Korea ping
Flying in and out of Seoul, the view of the vast Inchon mud flats makes one appreciate the skill and precision and guts McArthur’s landing reqired.
Massive tidal flux in Incheon.
My dad was with the 1st Marine Div. in the Incheon landing
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