On June 10, 2018, Aldersgate was proud to host Ms. Hannah Y. Kim, a Goodwill Ambassadress for the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation on her tour of Mississippi.

Before becoming chief of staff to former U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, D-New York, Kim spearheaded legislation that in 2009 created a National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day on July 27. The date marks the signing of the armistice that ended the major military conflict between North and South Korea, along the peninsula's demilitarized border zone in 1953.

From April to July, Hannah Y. Kim made a three-month journey to visit Korean War Veteran Memorials in all 50 states to meet and thank Korean War Veterans and remind the public about the grave cost of war. At the time of her visit, Kim had visited more than 30 memorial sites in 21 states to raise funds and awareness for a proposed "Wall of Remembrance" that she hopes to see added to the national Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The 20th anniversary of the commemoration of the Minnesota memorial will be held September 16, 2018. The survivors of America's "Forgotten War," she said, are always front and center in her thoughts.

Members of the Veterans Appreciation Committee of Lauderdale County met Kim and took her on a motorcycle tour of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway (US 71). As part of the tour, she visited with veterans from all wars at Aldersgate Assisted Living. Aldersgate was the first retirement community along the memorial highway that she had visited. Kim spent time visiting with the veterans, interviewing them and relishing the stories they shared with her. Some of the interviews were recorded for posterity.

As she hugged, kissed them on their cheek and pinned each veteran she asked "Do you know why I call all of you my grandpas?" Then gave them each a big smile and said, "It's not because you're old. It's because if you didn't fight in Korea, I wouldn't be standing here today."

To learn more about Kim's journey across the world or find out more about her Korean Veterans Awareness programs, visit Remember727.org.