A Gentle Footstep Toward Heroes: "Thank You for Remembering Us"

Between September 3 and 22, 2026, 202 Volunteers from 10 Shincheonji Volunteer Group Branches Nationwide Honored 2,498 National Veterans and Fallen Heroes Through Food Deliveries, Headstone Cleaning, and Personalized Care Ahead of Chuseok.

In September, ahead of Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), a warm greeting echoed through the home of a national veteran in Wonju. Volunteers arrived bearing gifts of handcrafted holiday food.

"You made this yourself?" the elderly veteran asked, a smile spreading across his face as he received the songpyeon (half-moon rice cakes), jeon (fritters), and sikhye (rice punch). "Having young people visit and listen to my old stories brings great joy and gratitude."

This small moment was just one instance from a massive nationwide outreach. From September 3 to 22, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group hosted 11 tailored patriotic volunteer events across 10 regions: Seosan, Cheongju, Asan, Dongjak, Daejeon, Tongyeong, East Busan, Sokcho, Wonju, and Goyang.

A total of 202 volunteers (132 internal, 70 external) dedicated their time to express deep gratitude and respect to 2,498 national heroes, including veterans, bereaved families, and fallen defenders of the nation.

Sharing Warmth and Memories: Customized Holiday Meals

In Seosan, Cheongju, Sokcho, and Wonju, volunteers personally delivered customized healthy meals and Chuseok foods—such as samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), medicinal rice, songpyeon, and jeon—to 102 national heroes, including Korean War veterans and wounded warriors.

Volunteers did not simply hand over the food; they sat beside the elderly, checking on their well-being and listening to their stories, transforming a simple meal into a message of "We remember your sacrifice."

Tongyeong branch treated 15 Korean War veterans to a warm sit-down dinner and presented each with a custom appreciation frame. East Busan provided a special gift by taking "Long-Life Portraits" (longevity photos) for 7 veterans, preserving their proudest moments in military uniform.

One veteran moved by the portrait stated:

"They remembered a passing comment I made about an altar photo and handled everything from the shoot to the framing. It is truly a great life gift for us veterans. I will hang this photo, where I look as dignified as my younger self in uniform, as a matter of family pride."


Restoring Dignity: Door-to-Door Care

Branches in Cheongju and Goyang launched mobile care units for 14 veterans with limited mobility who found it difficult to visit hair salons. Volunteers provided haircuts and scalp care in the comfort of the veterans' homes. In Goyang, this was complemented by delivering 60kg of rice and 10 boxes of health drinks donated by local citizens.

In Dongjak, youth volunteers spent quality time with 10 veterans, offering therapeutic taping, massages, and a friendly game of Baduk (Go). These intergenerational interactions allowed youth to learn personal histories of sacrifice directly from the heroes, fostering generational understanding.


Honoring Fallen Defenders: Cleaning 2,300 Headstones

At the Daejeon National Cemetery, volunteers honored the fallen defenders of the nation. After bowing in respect, they spent hours meticulously wiping clean 2,300 headstones in the 3rd Soldier Burial Ground, reflecting on the individual life and sacrifice represented by each name. They also cleaned the surrounding grounds, collecting 75L of waste.

In Asan, 202 volunteers gathered 2,000L of waste and leaves around the Yesan Chunghryeongsa Shrine and the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial. Following the cleanup, they gifted 50 Korean War veterans handcrafted snacks (oranda) and keyrings featuring Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) and the Korean flag.

One Korean War veteran smiled while receiving the snack: "You made this yourself? It’s truly heartwarming to see young people volunteering with such genuine joy. I hope we can meet again."


Patriotic Devotion Begins with Remembering

Patriotic devotion (Bohun) is not about grand ceremonies; it begins with the heart that remembers. These collective acts—from delivering a warm meal to cleaning the dust off a headstone—formed a deep, tangible "thank you" to national heroes, embodying the spirit that "Your sacrifice was not forgotten."


Source: https://vo.la/41KzarJ


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