A New Window, A Fresh Haircut, and a Bowl of Soup: How Two Cities Honored 100-Year-Old War Heroes

In Jeonju and Ulsan, Shincheonji Volunteer Group Paired Practical Home Repairs and Citizen-Crafted Gifts to Ensure Korean War Veterans Are Never Forgotten

💬 "My father is 100 years old, and so many household repairs were simply beyond his reach. Seeing volunteers care for him like their own family brings such peace of mind."

— Son of Jeon Man-seok (100), a Korean War veteran in Jinan-gun

True gratitude is not measured by grand speeches once a year on national holidays. It lives in the small, practical actions that make an aging hero’s daily life safer, cooler, and less lonely.

This August, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group demonstrated what real-world patriotism looks like across two southern regions of South Korea—Jeonju and Ulsan. By combining heavy home repairs with warm personal care and citizen-written letters, volunteers created a powerful bridge of respect between everyday citizens and Korean War veterans.

Jeonju Branch: Restoring Safety for a 100-Year-Old Veteran’s Home

On August 14, members of the Jeonju Branch traveled to Jinan-gun to meet Won Do-hee, head of the local Korean War Veterans Association, delivering personal thank-you letters written by local citizens.

Their main mission, however, was waiting at the home of Jeon Man-seok, a veteran who turned 100 years old this year.

At a century old, even minor household breakdowns—broken window rollers, torn screen doors, or unstable flooring—pose severe safety risks. Volunteers rolled up their sleeves for an intensive home overhaul:

  • Sash & Screen Door Replacement: Installed new sash rollers and heavy-duty screen doors to keep heat and pests out.

  • Structural Repairs: Replaced old shoe racks and repaired squeaky wooden floors and worn linoleum flooring (Jangpan).

  • Deep Sanitation: Cleared out accumulated debris both inside and outside the home to ensure an obstacle-free living environment.

Upon seeing his father’s refreshed home, the veteran’s son expressed relief: "There were so many things my father couldn't fix on his own. I never expected them to check every single detail so meticulously."



Ulsan Branch: From Street Festival Heat to Fresh Meals & Grooming

Meanwhile, on the same day in Ulsan, the Ulsan Branch transformed the Jung-gu Veterans Hall into a bustling sanctuary of health and wellness for local national heroes.

Rather than a closed-door event, this initiative was built directly on public street engagement:

  • Citizen-Crafted Gifts: On August 8 at 'Street of Youth' in Seongnam-dong and August 10 at Taehwa River National Garden, volunteers hosted interactive heat-stroke prevention booths with water balloon throws and heatwave quizzes. Citizens wrote personal thank-you cards and crafted Taegeuk-flower sock-yarn keyrings to be gifted to veterans.

  • Grooming & Nourishment: On August 14, volunteers trimmed and styled the hair of attending veterans, served freshly brewed Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), and delivered hot meals straight to the homes of veterans unable to travel.

One veteran who received a fresh haircut smiled: "In this blistering heat, they came to trim my hair neatly and served us delicious Samgyetang. But more than anything, knowing they haven't forgotten us means the world."


Dual-City Outreach Summary

Branch / LocationCore Outreach FocusTangible Impact & Outcomes
Jeonju Branch (Jinan-gun)Home renovation for 100-year-old veteran Jeon Man-seok; delivered citizen gratitude letters.Replaced window sashes, screen doors, shoe racks & flooring; restored safe living environment.
Ulsan Branch (Jung-gu)Citizen-participatory street campaigns; hair-grooming service & Samgyetang meal distribution.Gathered citizen cards & handmade Taegeuk keyrings; provided haircutting & home-delivered hot meals.

A Continuous Promise to Our Living History

Whether replacing worn-out window rollers in a rural village or trimming hair in a city veterans' hall, these synchronized efforts reflect a single core belief: the daily peace we enjoy today was bought by the sacrifices of yesterday.

As Lee Yong-woo (Jeonju Branch Manager) and Kim Han-su (Ulsan Branch Manager) noted:

"Remembering those who dedicated their lives to our country is a responsibility our community must carry every day. We will continue running practical, citizen-engaged campaigns so that their heroism remains forever remembered."


Source: 
- https://vo.la/iow2MIO
- https://vo.la/vwUT6mr

댓글

댓글 쓰기

이 블로그의 인기 게시물

Shincheonji Netherlands Church and Class 116 Graduates Carry Out Environmental Cleanup in Rotterdam

이미지
On December 6, members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Netherlands Church gathered at Kralingse Bos , one of Rotterdam’s largest lake parks, for a meaningful volunteer activity. The event was part of the church’s “1st Graduation Commemoration Volunteer Program,” bringing together 27 participants , including newly graduated Class 116 students of the Zion Christian Mission Center . Their goal was simple but sincere: to practice the teachings of Jesus by caring for their neighbors and protecting the local environment. Cleaning Kralingse Bos: A Park Loved by the City Kralingse Bos is a large urban lake park located on the eastern side of Rotterdam. Much like Seoul’s Hangang Park, it is a popular place for walking, running, and enjoying nature. Because so many people pass through every day, litter often gathers around the lakeside paths. A representative from Shincheonji Netherlands Church , part of the Bartholomew Tribe , explained that the city also recognized the need for clean...
자세한 내용 보기

Winter Break Program Opens Career Exploration Opportunities for Youth in Gwangju

이미지
Peter Heaven Culture Academy launches its 3rd term with 39 hands-on courses across culture, sports, and media As winter break approaches, a new youth program in Gwangju is offering students a chance to explore their interests, talents, and possible career paths through structured, hands-on learning. The Shincheonji Gwangju Church has opened enrollment for the 3rd term of the Peter Heaven Culture Academy (PHCA) , a seasonal program designed for children and teenagers during the winter vacation period. The program is organized for youth members of its children and student groups and focuses on experiential learning rather than classroom-only instruction. A program built around exploration and experience PHCA is designed to help young people better understand themselves by trying a wide range of activities in a supportive group environment. Instead of focusing solely on academic outcomes, the program emphasizes cooperation, creativity, and personal growth through shared experiences. Ahea...
자세한 내용 보기

Class 116 Graduates Share Warmth Through Kimchi: A Winter of Giving in the Peter and Andre Tribes

이미지
As winter settles in and the year comes to a close, many people begin to feel the cold more deeply—especially seniors living alone, neighbors with disabilities, and those who have served the nation. To bring warmth and comfort to these communities, graduates of Zion Christian Mission Center Class 116 from both the Andre Tribe and the Peter Tribe stepped forward for a special act of love: kimchi sharing. Though the two events took place in different cities, the heart behind them was the same. The graduates wanted to celebrate their learning, express gratitude, and start their new journey of faith by serving others with their own hands. Andre Tribe: A Celebration of Graduation Through Giving At the Andre Training Center, more than two hundred volunteers gathered with bright smiles, including one hundred new graduates who had recently completed their study of the Word. Together, they prepared a remarkable amount of kimchi—carefully seasoning and mixing each batch with sincerity. This w...
자세한 내용 보기