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Larson and Korean Ambassador Present Medal of Gratitude to Nearly 100 Korean War Veterans

October 21, 2016

East Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) and Ambassador Ahn Ho-Young of the Republic of Korea held a special medal ceremony for veterans of the Korean War. Larson and Ambassador Ahn worked together to secure the Medal of Gratitude for nearly 100 local Korean War veterans.

“The Korean War has been called the “Forgotten War” but should be called the “Forgotten Victory,” said Rep. Larson. “It is a tremendous privilege to stand alongside Ambassador Ahn to honor these veterans who fought so bravely for their country. Having visited Korea earlier this year, I saw firsthand how its people are thriving, and I took note of its superior infrastructure and transportation systems. Both are a testament to the sacrifice and dedication of those like General Jim Thowe, who we honored here today, and who is a member of my Veterans Advisory Council, and of all the veterans who helped spread the word, especially Jim Shelmerdine and Fred Clark of East Hartford; Omer Deabay and Jim Bousquet of Bristol, and Art Sladyk of South Windsor.

“I would also like to thank Commissioner Sean Connolly for all the work he does for veterans, and Lt General (Ret) Michael Moeller of Pratt & Whitney for generously hosting us here today.”

Rep. Larson and Ambassador Ahn last met prior to the Congressman's visit to Korea in August. While in Korea, Larson discussed the impact of the Korean War, his own efforts to ensure Korean War veterans receive the care and recognition they earned, and visited with our troops who are stationed at the DMZ. Ambassador Ahn’s visit to East Hartford also included meetings with local business leaders, a tour of the Pratt Customer Training Facility, speaking before the World Affairs Council, and a tour of Goodwin College.

List of Veterans honored:

Howard Achille

Paul Albert

Henry Allain

Peter Anthony

Benjamin Appleton

Maurice Archambault

Richard Avery

Warren Avery

William Baker

Paul Barbour

Nathan Barsky

Robert Batka

Donald Bishop

Edward Bolles

Jim Bousquet

Michael Brown

Joseph Caporale

Michael Cappa

Theodore Carron

Henry Carron

Fred Clark

Edmund Covaleski

Luicien Daigle

Clifford Daugherty

Omer Deabay

Victor Dellaripa

Daniel DeMartin

Alexander Donald

Albert Donn

Earl Dube

Walter Dull

John Fay

Richard Frawley

Edward Goin

John Furnezes

Nicholas Gandolfo

Kenneth Gertz

Robert Gleckman

Donald Hauser

Lawrence Goldman

Norman Green

Henry Grejdus

Albert Grimaldi

Andrew Hall

Joseph Halloran

Joseph Hendron

Peter Intagliata

Russell Heslin

William Hill

William Hill

Robert Hornish

Richard Hurley

James Hussey

Lionel Jackowitz

Richard Lacafta

Wilfred Lavoie

Vincent Lawlor

Adrien Leclerc

Herbert Lee Jr.

Edwin Linden

Salvatore Malinguaggio

Nick Mango

Lehman Mann

Melvin Marcus

Ernest Maynard

Wallace Mercer

Walter Mercer

John Migliaro

Robert Moeller

Walter Moriarty

George Noewathe

Robert Roser

Francis Parker

John Piechowski

Richard Ptachinski

Charles Regulbuto

Henry Rempt

Bernard Renouf

Charles Ricker

Armand Solomita

Carlo Sammarco

Allen Schindler

Alfred Schindler

James Shelmerdine

Robert Sherman

Lloyd Sherwood

James Simon

Dwight Slocum

Rene Soto

Lionel Soucy

James Sparkowski

Richard Steele

Richard Stolarz

Eugene Sullivan

Jim Throwe

Anthony Torsiello

Sanford Warshavsky

Harry White

Walter Wilson

James Woodward

Robert Yaglowski

William Yebram

Anthony Zacchio

Dominic Zacchio

Walter Zajac

Raymond Zakrzewski

Robert Zettergen

Issues:Veterans