한국어
The Kansas City Korean American Society held special events on August 10th and 11th to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Liberation Day. On the first day, the first pickleball tournament was held at Leawood's SW19 Tennis & Pickleball, where 20 teams participated and competed fiercely.
About 100 Koreans gathered for this event, and Tim Chung and Chris Park teams won the championship. This tournament was a significant opportunity for local Koreans to come together through a sport called pickleball.
The next day, August 11, a joint Liberation Day service was held at Korean Antioch Church. This service was an important time to honor those who sacrificed for Korea's independence and to recall the meaning of Liberation Day. Pastor Lee Eun-cheol delivered a sermon at this United Worship Service titled “Jesus the True Liberator.”
After the service, a 6-minute Liberation Day documentary was screened with support from a group called Independence Day. The documentary left a deep impression on the attendees by moving and capturing the historical significance of Gwangbok and Korea's independence movement. The pickleball award ceremony was held at the end of every order.
We prepared refreshments at Antioch Church and had a time of fellowship among Koreans. I would like to thank Antioch Church and Pastor Lee Eun-cheol for providing the message and place.
More than a simple commemoration, this event was an important opportunity to strengthen the cohesion and unity of the Korean American community in the region. It also played an educational role in conveying the historical significance of Liberation Day to the next generation. The documentary screened this time can be watched again on the Kansas City Korean Society website or YouTube channel, and will be a great resource for many people who want to recall the meaning of Liberation Day.
The Kansas City Korean American Society successfully concluded this Liberation Day celebration and strengthened its commitment to continue promoting Korean traditions and history to the local community and leading the unity of the Korean American community. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who participated in this event, and I hope they will continue to participate in protecting Korea's heritage with the Korean Society.