i also want to thank my colleague tim johnson who is the real hero having flown some 62 missions aboves ago today, 100,000 north korean soldiers crossed the 38th parallel and started a war that technically has not ended it. the ceasefire of july 1953 ended a bloody struggle that made a career of the main battlefield of freedom against communist tyranny. reports of that invasion six years ago are still burned in the memories of many americans -- reports of that invasion 60 years ago are still burned in the memories of many americans. they responded quickly. they put in place the leaders, the troops, the ships, the fighters, bombers, the tanks, and everything needed to face the communists and say, "this far and no further." america is joined by 29 allies to preserve south korea as the frontline of democracy and freedom. in the end, 628,000 allied soldiers gave their lives in a struggle, including 36,000 americans. we remember them today. there is an image that captures exactly why the sacrifices made in the war were justified. if you go to the google earth, you can pull up a satellite im