Announcement

KDVA Congratulates U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Its 69th Anniversary

The Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) proudly congratulates U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) on its 69th anniversary. Since its establishment on July 1, 1957, USFK has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Republic of Korea Armed Forces in defense of freedom and prosperity.

Together, they have forged an Alliance that has enabled South Korea’s remarkable transformation into a leading democracy and global economic power, and contributed to stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region. USFK remains at the center of that success.

Today, we honor the Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, Guardians, government Civilians, contractors, and Family members who have served — and continue to serve — with USFK on “Freedom’s Frontier.” Their ranks include approximately 1.8 million Korean War Veterans, 3.3 million Korea Defense Veterans who served after the Armistice, and the more than 28,500 Service Members currently serving in Korea today.

For nearly seven decades, USFK has helped preserve stability on the Korean Peninsula through readiness, deterrence, and a steadfast commitment to the ROK-U.S. Alliance. Along the way, service in Korea has helped develop generations of military leaders who carried forward lessons in warfighting, alliance-building, and leadership that strengthened the U.S. Armed Forces and America’s global role in the Indo-Pacific region.

Please join KDVA (kdva.vet) in honoring this legacy of USFK — a remarkable community whose service has helped defend Korea, strengthen America, and preserve the irreplaceable ROK-U.S. Alliance for future generations.

“Together for the ROK-U.S. Alliance!”

Robert B. “Abe” Abrams

General, U.S. Army (Retired)

Chairman & President

Korea Defense Veterans Association

KDVA and KUSAF Message

76th Anniversary of the Start of the Korean War

June 25, 2026

Today, the Republic of Korea stands as one of the world’s leading democracies and a global economic powerhouse. The prosperity, security, and friendship that define the Republic of Korea–United States Alliance today were built upon the courage and sacrifice of a generation that answered the call when freedom was under attack.

On June 25, 1950, North Korea launched an unprovoked invasion of the Republic of Korea, beginning a war that would test the resolve of two nations and change the course of history. More than 1.8 million Americans and 2.5 million South Koreans served during the Korean War. Thousands made the ultimate sacrifice. Many more returned home carrying memories and wounds that would remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Seventy-six years later, we continue to remember and honor these Veterans and their Families not only for what they endured, but for what they achieved. They helped the Republic of Korea rise from the devastation of war to a prosperous and democratic nation that stands today as a testament to their sacrifice. Their service strengthened the bonds between two nations and established an Alliance that remains irreplaceable for the security and prosperity of Northeast Asia.

Today, the responsibility for preserving that legacy belongs to all of us.

At the Korea-US Alliance Foundation (KUSAF) and the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA), we remain committed to honoring our Veterans, educating future generations, and enhancing the ROK-U.S. Alliance. Through public engagement, people-to-people relationships,1leadership development, and educational programs, we seek to ensure that the lessons and sacrifices of the Korean War are remembered.

This responsibility is especially important as the generation that fought the Korean War passes from our midst. Their stories must be preserved. Their service, courage, sacrifice, and contributions must continue to inspire future generations.

The Alliance they forged remains strong.

The freedom they defended endures.

The legacy they created is now ours to carry forward.

“Together for the ROK-U.S. Alliance”

Robert B. “Abe” Abrams

President, KDVA President, KUSAF

Leem, Ho Young

General, U.S. Army (Retired) General, ROK Army (Retired)

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, James Honea,  Joins KDVA Senior Enlisted Council

May 27, 2026

Please join the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) Board of Directors in welcoming Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (Ret.) James Honea as the newest member of the KDVA Senior Enlisted Council.

“We are honored to welcome MCPON (Ret.) James Honea to KDVA’s leadership team,” said General (Ret.) Robert B. “Abe” Abrams, KDVA Chairman and President. “He is a proven leader who has spent his career strengthening teams, building trust, and taking care of Sailors and their Families. His service in Korea and across the Indo-Pacific gave him a deep, personal understanding of the ROK–U.S. Alliance—not just as a mission, but as a relationship built between our people. That perspective is what makes him such a strong addition to our Senior Enlisted Council and to the KDVA team.”

MCPON (Ret.) Honea most recently served as the 16th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, the highest enlisted position in the United States Navy. In that role, he served as the principal enlisted advisor to the Chief of Naval Operations and Secretary of the Navy, representing more than 400,000 Sailors and their families.

Prior to serving as MCPON, Honea held key senior enlisted leadership roles across the Indo-Pacific, including Command Senior Enlisted Leader for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Command Master Chief of U.S. Naval Forces Korea.

Beyond his distinguished service, Honea brings a deep and personal connection to Korea and the ROK–U.S. Alliance. Reflecting on his time serving alongside Republic of Korea Navy counterparts, he shared in July 2023:

“Some of my most meaningful experiences in uniform were in Korea—serving side by side with our Republic of Korea Navy partners. Those weren’t just professional interactions; they were relationships built on trust, shared purpose, and daily cooperation. That’s what makes our alliance so powerful.

Returning to Busan and reconnecting with both U.S. and ROK Sailors reminded me just how strong that bond remains. We don’t just operate together—we learn from each other, we grow together, and we become better warfighters because of it.

It was an honor to serve there, and it’s a place—and a partnership—I look forward to returning to.”

“I am honored to join KDVA and support its important mission,” said Honea. “The ROK-U.S. Alliance remains one of the most important partnerships in the world, and I look forward to continuing to support the Veterans, Service Members, and Families who have contributed so much to its success.”

Please see his complete biography at https://kdva.vet/leadership/.

KDVA is a 501C(3) non-profit organization registered in Virginia with over 61,000 members and 139,000 social media followers. KDVA is non-political.  KDVA was formed to enhance the ROK-U.S. Alliance and support the people who built and serve the Alliance.

Please join KDVA for FREE – anyone interested in Korea and Veterans are welcome!

Visit us at www.kdva.vet, and follow us on Facebook (@kdva.us) and Twitter (@KDVAvets).

KDVA and KUSAF Joint Message for “U.S.-ROK Alliance Memorial Period 2026”

May 25 – June 6, 2026

Remembrance is not confined to a single day. It is carried forward — in the values we uphold, the alliances we sustain, and the lives we lead in freedom.

During U.S.–ROK Alliance Memorial Period, we reflect on the men and women of the United States and the Republic of Korea who lost their lives in defense of a cause greater than themselves. Their sacrifice did more than secure a moment in history — it established a foundation for a lasting partnership between our two nations.

The Alliance they helped forge has evolved from shared sacrifice on the battlefield to a steadfast commitment to peace and security. Today, that commitment is visible not only in the Service Members who stand watch together, but also in the generations who continue to carry forward the meaning of their service.

Each life lost represents a story — of duty, of courage, and of devotion to others. Remembering them requires more than reflection; it calls on us to live in a way that honors what they gave. That is why the Korea–U.S. Alliance Foundation (KUSAF) and the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) designate May 25 to June 6, 2026, as “U.S.–ROK Alliance Memorial Period.”

We invite all Americans and Koreans to join 61,000 KDVA members in observing this time of remembrance in their own way — by visiting a memorial, attending a ceremony, sharing a story … or simply taking a moment to reflect on these days:

• On May 25, U.S. Memorial Day, please pause at 3:00 p.m. EDT.

• On June 6, ROK Memorial Day, a nationwide moment of silence is observed at 10:00 a.m.

Though separated by distance, these moments connect us in common purpose — to remember, to honor, and to remain worthy of the sacrifices made.

“Together for the ROK-U.S. Alliance”

Robert B. “Abe” Abrams

President, KDVA President, KUSAF

Leem, Ho Young

General, U.S. Army (Retired) General, ROK Army (Retired)

U.S. Military Spouse Appreciation Day: 

Behind every assignment, every deployment, and every mission in defense of Korea, there is a constant source of strength — our military spouses.

Their support is not always visible, but it is always felt. Through moves, long separations, and the demands of service, spouses provide the stability, encouragement, and resilience that make it possible for our Service Members to serve with focus and purpose.

For those connected to Korea, that commitment often takes on an added dimension. Service on the Korean Peninsula is not just another assignment — it is part of a vital mission that has endured for generations. And alongside those who wear the uniform are spouses who share in that experience, building lives, friendships, and communities … sometimes far from home.

As KDVA continues to grow — now connecting more than 60,000 members worldwide and expanding through Chapters, Campus Clubs, and our first USFK Chapter at Camp Humphreys — we are reminded that this community is strengthened not only by those who served, but also by the families who stand beside them.

To all military spouses of our Korea Veterans and those currently serving in U.S. Forces Korea, we offer our sincere appreciation. Your sacrifices, your strength, and your unwavering support are an essential part of the ROK–U.S. Alliance.

Today is an opportunity to pause and recognize all that you do — but more importantly, it is a reminder that your contributions matter every day.

KDVA is proud to welcome military spouses as part of our community, with membership and programs available at no cost … but priceless in their impact.

Thank you for all that you do and all that you represent.

Steve Lee

Senior Vice President

Korea Defense Veterans Association

KDVA Founding Month in May 2026

May 1, 2026

Each May, KDVA marks its founding by recognizing the people who give this community its identity — those who served in defense of Korea and those who continue to support and carry that legacy forward. What began as a way to connect Korea Veterans and their supporters has grown into something much larger: a dynamic, expanding movement that reflects the enduring importance of the ROK–U.S. Alliance.

Today, that growth is clear:

• More than 60,000 members worldwide
• Over 133,000 social media followers
• 7 U.S. Chapters, with 4 more launching in 2026
• 5 KDVA Campus Clubs (KCCs) engaging the next generation
• The first KDVA USFK Chapter at Camp Humphreys, connecting those currently serving with those who came before them

This is more than growth in numbers — it is a strengthening of the ties that bind our members across generations, geography, and service. For many, service and living in Korea leave a lasting mark. As one member reflected:

“Living in South Korea changed my life, shaping my worldview…”

— Mr. Dave Harris, KDVA Digital Library

That experience — shared by millions — is what continues to drive engagement, connection, and purpose within KDVA today.

We are especially grateful to our fundraising partner, the Korea–U.S. Alliance Foundation (KUSAF), whose support ensures that KDVA membership and programs remain free and accessible to all.

As we look ahead, our focus remains clear: to grow KDVA, to enhance the Alliance, and to ensure that the legacy of service in Korea continues to inspire future generations.

Whether you have been part of KDVA for years or are just joining us, your voice matters — and your continued engagement helps shape what comes next. Thank you for being part of this effort — “Together for the ROK-U.S. Alliance.”

KDVA is very excited and proud to open its first chapter on a USFK installation as the KDVA Humphreys Chapter. This local chapter allows KDVA to directly support the 28,500 USFK personnel and their families.  We are thankful to have this opportunity, and we look forward to opening more chapters on more USFK installations!