Last Tuesday at the Utah State Capitol, members of my Salt Lake City staff attended a special ceremony for Utah veterans who received the Republic of Korea Ambassador for Peace Medal. In total, there were 157 Korean War veterans from Utah who were recognized for their service and presented with the Ambassador for Peace ribbon and medal. Consul General, Han Dong-man, presented the awards from the Republic of Korea.

This event would not have been possible without the service and sacrifice of Jay Wells and John Cole, two Utah veterans who served in the Korean War. Thanks to the efforts of Jay and John, this was the third Korean War Medal Ceremony that has been held in recent years, and more are expected in the future.

At the end of the ceremony, a special tribute was paid to Mr. Cole for his efforts in serving and defending Utah’s veterans. It was a touching reminder of the brotherhood that exists within the veteran community. I am proud to represent a state that has such a rich tradition of honoring its veterans, and making sure that those veterans are properly recognized.

I am honored to see our veterans recognized for their commitment and willingness to sacrifice. Our appreciation for their service can never fully be expressed—but ceremonies like these are a step in the right direction. It is my hope that we can continue to see our local veterans honored in similar ways for years to come.