Rotarian Ron Erhardt given honor from Korean government

At the Jan. 13, 2014, Rotary Club of Edina meeting, Rotarian and Minnesota State Rep. Ron Erhardts was given a Medal of Honor from the Korean government. It was presented to him by fellow Rotarian Wooj Byun. 

Wooj gave the following tribute to Ron at the meeting:

"My father, who turned 80, used to tell me that he owes his life to those young American soldiers who came to rescue Korea from communist invasion in 1950. He told me I should thank these veterans if they are still alive.

This photo was taken last Thursday [Jan. 13, 2014]. This is Ron Erhardt who received a Medal of Honor from the government of Korea and its people, for his contribution to restoring peace and democracy in Korea over 60 years ago. 

I told him Korea would not be the same without his sacrifice. If Minnesota didn't send close to 100,000 soldiers (among whom over 4,000 of them lost either their lives or body parts) to Korea during 1950 and 1953, Korea today would not be there. In July 1953, the two Koreas agreed to cease-fire. 

In the meantime, South Korea's economy made a meteoric jump from bottom 10th to top 10th economy around the world. Samsung, LG and Hyundai became household names in the United States and the rest of the world because people like Ron went to Korea over 60 years ago to fight for peace.

Ron has been serving as a State Representative from our city. I am glad I had a chance to thank him with all the blessings from the members of the Rotary Club of Edina. 

Finding surviving Korean War veterans and recognizing them properly has been a personal quest for me, and it has been a great honor on my part. Freedom is not free. I know what that means. Thank you Ron, for dedicating one important chapter of your life to preserving peace and freedom in Korea over 60 years ago. It was a great day for both of us."