WHEREAS, the Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean forces crossed the 38th Parallel into the Republic of Korea, and the United States joined an international effort in support of South Korea; and

WHEREAS, the conflict concluded with the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, bringing an end to active hostilities on the Korean Peninsula; and

WHEREAS, approximately 106,000 of the 1.8 million Americans who served during the Korean War were Virginians, and nearly 1,000 Virginians of 36,000 total Americans lost their lives in service to our nation; and

WHEREAS, many service members who served during the Korean War remain unaccounted for, and efforts continue to identify and return those who have not yet come home; and

WHEREAS, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, an agency of the United States Department of Defense, remains steadfast in its mission to recover and identify those who became prisoners of war or were listed as missing in action as a result of the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting to recognize the service and sacrifice of the Virginians and Americans who served during the Korean War and to preserve the legacy of their contributions for future generations;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize July 27, 2026, as KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.