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COLUMBUS — There is still time for Korean War veterans from Muscogee County and the surrounding area to sign up for the upcoming Korean War Veterans Honors Ceremony taking place at 11 a.m. Aug. 3 at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center’s Heritage Hall, (1775 Legacy Way, 31903) in Columbus. Sign up has been extended — the new deadline is now the end of the business day, Friday, July 26.

A luncheon hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta will follow the presentation. This event is free and open to the public; however, registration is required. Korean War veterans who have not yet signed up but are still interested in attending the ceremony to be personally recognized can contact the Georgia Department of Veterans Services (GDVS) Central Office via email at bzeringue@vs.state.ga.us or fax their DD Form 214 with their contact information (phone number and mailing address) marked “Columbus Certificates” to 404-656-7006.  For more information call Brian Zeringue, Director of Public Information, at 404-656-5933.

The ceremony, which is part of a collaborative partnership with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Atlanta and the GDVS, is open to all veterans with honorable service during the Korean War (June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953). Veterans who participated in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations through the end of 1955 are also eligible to participate. This includes veterans with service in-country and those who served in other capacities.

GDVS Commissioner Mike Roby will present the state’s Korean War Certificate of Honor to veterans in recognition of their service. Each certificate is personalized with the Korean War veteran’s name, rank, branch of service, and dates of service printed over the Seal of the State of Georgia and includes the official Korean War logo. They are signed by Governor Brian Kemp and the commissioner.

Along with the state certificate, veterans will receive the Ambassador for Peace Medal. The Peace Medal began to be presented to veterans as a special memento for those American veterans who returned to Republic of Korea through the “Revisit Program.” The honor was later expanded to veterans who have been unable to travel.

Veterans who have already received certificates but have not received their peace medal are also encouraged to attend. They are asked to contact the GDVS Central Office (bzeringue@vs.state.ga.us) or fax their DD Form 214 to 404-656-7006. These veterans should bring their State Certificate of Honor to the ceremony for a public presentation and to receive the Republic of Korea’s Ambassador for Peace Medal.

According to the most recent data available (FY 2018) from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are over 41,430 veterans who reside in Muscogee and bordering counties, many of which are Korean War veterans.

Additional information about the Korean War Certificate of Honor Program and other veteran benefits is available at www.veterans.ga.gov.