Beyond Words of Thanks: Delivering Hands-On Care to Korea’s Aging War Veterans Amid Record Heatwaves

How Shincheonji Volunteer Group Stepped into the Living Spaces of National Heroes in Uijeongbu, Gwangju, and Cheonan


"The war ended decades ago, but for me, it has never truly ended..."
— Lim Jae-cheon (77), Vietnam War Veteran & Army Medic in Uijeongbu

As record-breaking heatwaves swept across South Korea in late July 2026—with feel-like temperatures soaring near 38°C (100°F)—elderly war veterans faced severe health risks. Moving beyond public awareness rallies on city streets, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group took a direct, hands-on approach: entering the homes, offices, and veterans' halls of aging heroes to provide tailored living support, summer health meals, and deep emotional companionship.

Here is a look at how volunteers delivered practical care and honor to veterans in Uijeongbu, Gwangju, and Cheonan.

1. Uijeongbu Branch: Living Space Care & Personalized Honor

On July 25, volunteers from the Uijeongbu Branch personally visited the homes of elderly Vietnam War veterans in Singok-dong and Geumo-dong, Uijeongbu-si, who were particularly vulnerable to severe heatstroke.

  • Residential Environment Improvement: Volunteers dismantled and thoroughly cleaned thick dust from air conditioner filters and internal units, testing air flow to ensure a cool and safe indoor environment.

  • Bows of Respect & Health Meals: Volunteers offered formal bows of respect to the veterans, delivering fresh ginseng chicken soup (Samgyetang) and chilled watermelon.

  • Deep Listening & War Memories:

    • Lim Jae-cheon (77): Served as an army medic in the Vietnam War. He recalled the grim realities of witnessing fallen comrades and the 15-day sea voyage to the battleground. After the air conditioner cleaning, he shared with relief, “Now I can finally sleep comfortably at night.”

    • Song Yong-sik (81): A navy Vietnam War veteran residing in Geumo-dong. He reflected on the stark contrast between movie portrayals and real warfare, emphasizing that true battle fear is known only to those who lived through it.

  • Volunteer Reflection: Volunteer Jung Min-jun (39) expressed, “Realizing that our peaceful daily lives rest upon their tremendous sacrifices made me feel deeply humbled. Although it was a simple act of cleaning an air conditioner and sharing a warm meal, it was a privilege to deliver our long-overdue respect.”

2. Gwangju Branch: Health & Nutritional Support Across 16 Veterans Organizations

Following disease prevention warnings regarding severe heat risks for seniors, the Gwangju Branch conducted an extensive summer nutrition outreach from July 14 to 28 across 5 districts in Gwangju.

  • Direct Delivery to 16 Organizations: Volunteers visited 16 local veterans' organizations—including the 6·25 War Veterans Association and the Bereaved Families of Fallen Soldiers—supporting 169 elderly national veterans and their family members.

  • Customized Summer Energy Meals: Delivered freshly prepared whole chickens for soup, duck meat, seasonal fruits, traditional rice cakes (Gijeong-tteok), bananas, and bottled water to boost immunity and prevent heat illnesses.

  • Warm Community Connection: Volunteers conducted thorough wellness checks, listening attentively to any living difficulties faced by elderly members. Veterans responded warmly, stating, “It is our first time receiving such meticulous care,” and “Knowing we are still remembered brings immense comfort.”

3. Cheonan Branch: Commemorating Armistice Day with Hemp Bedding & Citizen Messages

On July 30, marking the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement, the Cheonan Branch visited the Cheonan Veterans Hall in Chungjeol-ro to deliver citizen-driven gratitude to Korean War and Vietnam War veterans.

  • Delivering Citizens' Heartfelt Gratitude: Volunteers presented natural cooling hemp bedding along with written thank-you messages collected from local citizens during the "Wise Summer Life" street campaign held on July 25.

  • Sharing Comfort & Refreshments: Provided rice cakes, seasonal fruits, and bottled water while sitting down with veterans to hear their wartime experiences.

    • A representative from the 6·25 Veterans Association recalled: “War was a painful struggle where you had no choice but to advance even when comrades fell beside you. War must never happen again.” Another veteran remembered surviving on small pieces of salted shrimp when military rations ran out.

  • Official Plaque of Appreciation: In recognition of Shincheonji Volunteer Group's consistent dedication to honoring war heroes, the Chungnam Chapters of the Vietnam War Veterans Association and 6·25 War Veterans Association presented an official Plaque of Appreciation to Cheonan Branch Manager Je Mu-gyeom.

Honoring Sacrifice in Everyday Life

The freedom, peace, and prosperity enjoyed across South Korea today were bought through the immense sacrifices of our national war heroes. Shincheonji Volunteer Group remains committed to ensuring that respect for veterans is not a once-a-year event, but an ongoing culture embedded in our daily lives.


Source: 
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