Korean and U.S. dignitaries gathered in Seoul on Thursday to honor the service of U.S. troops stationed in Korea.

The Korea America Friendship Society held its annual dinner party, the Korea America Friendship Night, to celebrate its 21st anniversary and honor servicemen going above and beyond their call of duty.

The nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the Korea-U.S. relationship presented its annual awards to five U.S. military personnel for their contributions to enhancing the six-decade-long alliance between the two countries.

U.S. Army Specialist Daniel Wrobel was recognized for volunteering over 100 hours at Korean orphanages and raising over $1,000 for the Namsanwon Orphanage. He also promotes good relations with local community soccer teams as a member of the 8th Army Good Neighbor Soccer Team.

The KAFS awarded U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Adam Ellis for his volunteer work in churches and hospitals. Ellis is also part of a 24-hour volunteer watch over Korean patients at the Samsung Medical Center. Ellis also promotes cultural exchanges by giving presentations about U.S. culture at middle schools here.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer Terence Richardson was also recognized for his efforts in strengthening alliances with the Korean community. Richardson has taken part in a soup-kitchen program that has fed dozens of Koreans. And he regularly visits his local orphanage, including birthdays and holidays.

According to Richardson, he is simply embracing the culture through his work.

“I just wanted to visit and look on the outside of my culture and explore Korean culture that is around here,” said Richardson who achieves that by volunteering.

He added that this was a habit he brought from the U.S.

“Just because I’m in a different country doesn’t mean I need to stop doing the same thing.”

“I enjoy it,” he said.

Other awardees included U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Philip Fourroux and U.S. Department of the Army Civilian personnel Ricky Oxendine.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung-han commemorated both the KAFS and the awardees.

“It (KAFS) has played an invaluable role in fostering friendship and mutual understanding between our two people,” said Kim in his remarks.

U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Minister-Counselor Brent Byers spoke on behalf of U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim and applauded the organization’s strengthening of “people-to-people ties.”

Lt. Gen. John Johnson, commander of the 8th U.S. Army, also congratulated the men.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of these men as they make the ROK-U.S. alliance one of the strongest in the world,” he said.

The three men also applauded the new free trade pact with the U.S. that came into effect March 15.

“Our two countries have taken the next step in strengthening our relationship for prosperity creating opportunities for both sides of the Pacific,” said Vice-Minister Kim.

Byers echoed Kim’s words, adding that the Korea-U.S. FTA will raise employment, and bring cheaper, better goods to both countries.

KAFS was established in June, 1991. It has since led a variety of studies on the bilateral relationship and activities aimed at enhancing cultural and social exchanges between the two countries.

The U.S. maintains some 28,500 troops here, mainly for deterrent purposes against North Korea.

By Robert Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)