and my father was one of them. 65 years ago, second lieutenant edward j. penceought alongside brave south korean forces to win the freedom of this land. while he came home to raise a family, he had friends in uniform, from america and korea, who went home to eternity. so, too, the friendship between our two free nations is eternal. we have bled together, we have prospered together. and on that foundation, the people of the united states of america and south korea will face the future together. with courage, determination and faith, we go together. thank you, mr. acting president, for your hospitality. it is a great, great honor to be with you today. [ translator speaking ] [ translator speaking ] [ applause ] >> we've been listening to a live news conference between the vice president, mike

today on the peninsula i looked out at those rolling hills and i thought about second lieutenant edward j pence who was with the 45th infantry division in the u.s. army. dad served here in combat. it was in this month, this very week in 1953 that my dad was awarded the bronze star here in korea for action in combat. but you know, like so many who have worn the uniform and come home, my dad didn't -- my dad didn't think the heroes were the ones that came home. whenever he spoke of his time here in korea he spoke of the ones that didn't come home. he spoke of friends lost, sacrifices made, and so on this day i think of my dad gone 29 years now but still enshrined in the hearts of everyone in our family. and i think of what dad would be thinking about, and i believe is thinking about. when he looks down to see his third son return to that place that he left so many years ago, and to see the sacrifices that were made here and the commitment that endures here has resulted in a free and prosperous south korea and so it shall ever be. and so for the sake of all who wear the uniform today and for the s

on the peninsula, i looked out at those rolling hills, and i thought about second lieutenant edward j. pence the 45th infantry division of the united states army. dad served here in combat. it was in this month, this very week in 1953, that my dad was awarded a bronze star here in korea for action in combat. you know, like so many who have worn the uniform and come home, my dad didn't think the heroes were the ones that came home. whenever he spoke of his time here in korea, he spoke of the ones that didn't come home. he spoke of friends lost, sacrifices made. and so on this day, i think of my dad, gone 29 years now, but still enshrined in the hearts of everyone in our family. and i think of what dad would be thinking about and i believe is thinking about as he looks down to see his third son return to that place that he left so many years ago and to see that the sacrifices that were made here, the commitment that endures here, has resulted in a free and prosperous south korea. and so it shall ever be. so for the sake of all of you who wear the uniform today, the sake of all who have gone be