DLIFLC students impress Korean Consul General
during 8th annual speech contest
By Brian Lamar, Strategic Communications
PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY,
Calif. - Defense Language
Institute Foreign Language Center
students pushed the limits of
their Korean language proficiency
by competing in the 8th annual
Korean Speech Contest on June
25, the 60th Anniversary of the
Korean War.
“This is one of my
favorite things about
DLI. We are able to
take a peek into another
culture right here in
Monterey by discussing
fascinating topics
about the people
and history of the
Korean Peninsula
and their wonderful
culture,” said
DLIFLC Assistant
Commandant, Col.
William Bare.
Twelve students
of the Korean
program worked
tirelessly to
prepare speeches
on topics they feel
strongly about. The speeches were
judged on content, delivery of
speech and crowd enjoyment.
Topics ranged from
emotionally charged explanations
of how American families were
also affected by the Korean War,
to light-hearted and entertaining
stories of how DLIFLC students
favor Korean music and share an
affinity toward Tae Kwon Do.
Pfc. Caleb Mickey won the
Commandant’s award with his
speech entitled “My Small Wish.”
Mickey explained how his family
suffered a similar fate that many
Koreans did because his family
lost a loved one during the war.
4
“My grandfather, who was
fighting in the Korean War,
stepped on a land mine and was
killed right before the end of
hostilities. My grandmother, father
and the rest of our family were
devastated by h is death,” Mickey
explained.
“Every time I come across
an American who wants to
speak Korean,
I am deeply
moved. Today I am very
touched while speaking with you
and listening to your stories in
my native language,” said guest
speaker Korean Consul General
Jung Kwan Lee of San Francisco.
The annual Korean Speech
Contest is a key-stone event
for the students of the Korean
program at DLIFLC. Not only is
it a fun activity, but it helps share
thoughts and feelings between
classmates and faculty regarding
the importance placed on learning.
“As students, your language
ability will go a long way toward
Korean Consul General Jung Kwan
Lee of San Francisco addresses faculty,
staff and students during the 8th annual
Korean Speech Contest on June 25.
continuing to build bridges
between the United States and
our allies and friends, the South
Koreans,” said Bare.