The Korea America Friendship Society will hold “Korea America Friendship Night,” its 22nd anniversary reception, in the grand ballroom at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Thursday.

Four U.S. soldiers and one Department of Defense civilian will receive “Korea America Friendship Society Awards” during the event. The awards recognize their volunteering to teach English, hold cultural exchanges, athletic events and festivals for young Korean students, and projects to promote mutual understanding with the local community, the society said. 

The reception will be attended by about 700 figures, including First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kyou-hyun, U.S. Ambassador to Korea Sung Kim, U.S. Marine Forces Korea Commander Major Gen. Michael Regner, Combined Forces Command Deputy Commander Gen. Kwon Oh-sung, U.S. soldiers, officials from the U.S. Embassy, and members of society. 
The five recipients of the award are Staff Sgt. Hun Lee Rosenberry, Tech. Sgt. Katrina Pierce, Petty Officer Kristina Thuemler, Staff Sgt. Jania Y. Tung and Marilyn McCallum Roseborough.

Born in Yongsan, Korea, Rosenberry was a key figure in collaboration on the newly revised Cultural Awareness training with Gyeonggi Province. Besides providing Cultural Awareness classes, he volunteers to teach English every Monday and Tuesday at Topdong Elementary School in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Pierce plays an active role in the Korean community. She led her squadron in establishing an active partnership with a local orphanage. She organized a program managing 23 members that conducts a weekly English class for 88 children living in the orphanage. She also organized two bake sales, raising $1,000 to purchase and donate school supplies for the children. She also accumulated over 200 hours of volunteer service in the local community.

Thuemler has been engaged in forging a Korean American Friendship Council relationship with local residents and officials during various community service projects. She participates in birthday celebrations and holiday events in a nearby orphanage every month.

Tung has assisted the city of Pohang and its local community, offering volunteer services for children of the city and other places. She has volunteered with multiple local Pohang schools and children’s centers ― 91 hours with the Korean Gumtar Children Center, 52 hours with the Korean Adult English Class, and 20 hours for Korean Dream Start Children.

Roseborough has established and maintained a strong partnership with Sungshin University, Department of Homeland Security and the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She also has implemented Korean Cultural classes and tour agreements, which provide cultural adaptation services.

Founded on June 26, 1991, Korea America Friendship Society is a civilian non-profit, nonpartisan organization which seeks to strengthen friendship and ties between the two countries through increased exchanges.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)