Nancy Brinker United States Ambassador


War’s Forgotten Heroes J


une marks the 75th anni- versary of the start of the Korean War — a conflict that claimed millions of lives,


shaped the modern global order, and yet is too often relegated to the mar- gins of our collective memory. It’s sometimes called the “Forgot-


ten War,” a misnomer that belies the sacrifice, courage, and lasting geopolitical impact of those three harrowing years. On June 25, 1950, North Korean


forces, backed by the Soviet Union and later China, crossed the 38th par- allel and invaded South Korea. In response, the United States,


under the banner of the United Nations, mobilized one of the largest multinational coalitions in history to defend freedom and repel commu- nist aggression. More than 1.8 million American


service members would answer the call — many of them just teenagers — fighting in rugged terrain and bitter cold halfway across the globe. Over 36,500 Americans died


in Korea. More than 103,000 were wounded, and thousands more remain missing in action. South Korean military and civilian


casualties numbered in the millions, with the country’s infrastructure and economy left in ruins. Despite the scale of the war, it


quickly faded from the headlines, overshadowed by World War II before it and the Vietnam War after. There were no victory parades. No


decisive peace treaty. Just an armi- stice signed on July 27, 1953, leaving the Korean Peninsula technically still at war.


Today, only about 1 million Kore-


an War veterans are still alive in the United States, and their average age is over 90. According to the U.S. Department


of Veterans Affairs, we lose hundreds of these veterans each day. Time is running out to thank them in person, to record their stories, and to ensure that future generations understand their sacrifices. We call it the “Forgotten War” not


because those who lived through it have forgotten, but because we, as a society, have not done enough to remember. We must change that. We owe it to


these brave men and women to recog- nize their service, honor their legacy, and reflect on the enduring conse- quences of their sacrifice. The Korean War was a


crucible that defined the early Cold War era. It was the first major military confrontation between democracy and commu- nism. It tested the resolve of the United States and its allies and affirmed our commitment to defend- ing freedom in the face of authoritarian aggression. The outcome of that conflict laid the foun-


34 NEWSMAX | JUNE 2025


dation for a strong, democratic, and prosperous South Korea — today one of America’s closest allies and a bea- con of innovation, resilience, and shared values. Geopolitically, the war also fore- shadowed the enduring challenges we face in the region. The division of the Korean Peninsula remains one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the world. North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear


weapons and its ongoing human rights abuses remind us that peace, security, and liberty are not guar- anteed — they must be continually defended. In commemorating the 75th anni-


versary, we must move beyond sol- emn ceremonies and engage in mean- ingful remembrance. That means supporting veterans’ healthcare and benefits, investing in education pro- grams that teach the history and les- sons of the Korean War, and strength- ening the U.S.-South Korea alliance. It also means listening to the voic-


es of those who served — while we still can. As someone who has spent her life advocating for those whose struggles are too often overlooked, I feel a pro- found sense of duty to ensure we don’t let these veterans, and the cause they fought for, fade into the background. The Korean War may be “forgot-


ten,” but its legacy endures. Let us honor that legacy by remembering — with gratitude, with humility, and with a renewed commitment to the values for which so many gave their lives.


Nancy G. Brinker served as chief of protocol of the United States from 2007- 2009. She is the founder of Susan G. Komen and host of Conversations with Nancy Brinker on Newsmax TV.


AFTON ALMARAZ/GETTY IMAGES


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