Joining nine veterans accepting the Ambassador for Peace Medal and Certificate at Sequim’s Black Bear Diner on Dec. 9 are (back row, from left) Port Angeles Mayor Sissi Bruch, Korean War Veterans Association President Jerry Retella, Republic of Korea Consul General Lee Hyung-jong, James Read, Gary LaRue (accepting a medal for his brother Bill LaRue), Joseph Hawkins, Bill Riedel, State Rep. Mike Chapman and Don Springer (accepting a medal for his father Donald Springer), with (front row, from left) Douglas Tissot, Jack Hughes, Larry Fredrickson, Carlton Posey and Lourdes E. Alvarado-Ramos, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Director. The honors are presented to American service men and women as an expression of appreciation from the Korean government. Veterans eligible to receive the Ambassador of Peace Medal must have served during the Korean War from June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953. It is also available for the veterans who participated in UN peacekeeping operations until the end of 1955. Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs