This resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, honors the sacrifices of service members and allies, and reaffirms the critical need for current U.S. military readiness.
Dan Sullivan
Senator
AK
This resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, honoring the service and sacrifice of U.S. service members and allies. It reaffirms the enduring importance of the U.S.-South Korea alliance as a cornerstone of security in the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, the resolution stresses the critical need for sustained military readiness to defend against current and future threats.
75th Anniversary Resolution Honors Korean War Vets, Reaffirms US-South Korea Alliance
This Senate resolution is all about commemorating a major historical milestone: the 75th anniversary of the start of the Korean War on June 25, 2025. This isn’t a bill that changes tax law or creates a new agency; it’s a non-binding resolution that officially honors the service and sacrifice of the 1.7 million U.S. service members who served, including the more than 36,000 who died, in what is often called the “Forgotten War.” Essentially, the Senate is taking a moment to formally acknowledge the immense cost of that conflict and ensure that history remembers those who fought.
The Noble War, Not the Forgotten War
For most people, the Korean War is something they read about briefly in a history book. This resolution aims to shift the narrative, calling on the American public to view it as the “Noble War” because it secured freedom and democracy for millions in South Korea. The text specifically honors the veterans, acknowledging the 7,500+ Americans still unaccounted for, and recognizes the heavy casualties suffered by our allies, particularly South Korea (the Republic of Korea, or ROK). This recognition is important for the veterans and their families who have waited decades for this level of public acknowledgment.
The Alliance That Still Matters
Beyond history, the resolution has a very current policy angle: it reaffirms the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, which was cemented by the Mutual Defense Treaty signed in 1953. For the average person, this matters because South Korea is a massive trading partner and a key player in global supply chains, especially in tech and automotive industries. The resolution calls the ROK a “linchpin” for peace and security in the entire Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing that the commitment to mutual defense remains critical today, especially given current geopolitical tensions.
The Push for Perpetual Readiness
The most forward-looking part of the resolution uses the lessons of the Korean War to stress the need for continued, strong military readiness. The text explicitly states that the U.S. must maintain a military that is “strong, modern, and completely ready to stop any aggression.” It urges investment in training, equipment, and support across all domains—land, sea, air, space, and cyber. While this resolution doesn't mandate specific spending, it serves as a powerful political statement affirming the need for sustained defense investment. For taxpayers, this language signals continued political support for robust military budgets, framed as necessary to protect national security interests and uphold our treaty commitments in the Pacific.
In short, this resolution is a formal handshake between the U.S. and South Korea, a salute to a generation of veterans, and a reminder that historical conflicts are often used to justify current military priorities.