The 3rd Happy Seminar for Military Members

“I worry that the heat might wear you out, but you have a positive mindset, so I believe you’ll get through it just fine.”

A heartfelt message from a mother to her son serving in the military, shared through a video letter, deeply touched the hearts of everyone in attendance.

On June 29, near the end of Korea’s Month of Patriots and Veterans, the 3rd Happy Seminar for Military Members was held at the Church in Munsan, Paju. Paju and the surrounding areas, which lie near the Military Demarcation Line, are home to many military units. Around 300 people, including active-duty soldiers from eight regions including Paju, Goyang, and Gimpo, along with their families and figures from politics and education, gathered for a warm and memorable time together.

In his opening address, Pastor Kim Yong-gap expressed deep respect for the dedication of the young soldiers who devote their youth to serving the nation and people. He added, “I hope today’s event gives our soldiers strength and comfort, and that they stay healthy throughout the summer.”

The event officially began with a happy concert. A wind ensemble, made up of five woodwind instruments—flute, oboe, bassoon, horn, and clarinet—delivered familiar and cheerful melodies, performing the Church of God’s New Song “Beautiful Is Today,” Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” (A Little Night Music), and “The Entertainer” from the movie The Sting. Next, a mixed vocal ensemble took the stage and sang songs, including “The Day the Wind Stays,” which expresses longing for a mother—drawing enthusiastic cheers from the audience.

During the Empathy Talk session, the host read aloud responses that attendees had written earlier on panels set up as part of the pre-event activities. One lighthearted answer compared military service to “an 18-month hourglass,” prompting a wave of laughter. Another message, saying “Thanks to you, I can sleep soundly with both legs stretched out,” expressed heartfelt gratitude to soldiers, creating a warm, touching atmosphere.

The highlight of the event was a surprise video letter prepared by the parents of the soldiers currently serving. As their parents’ faces appeared on the screen, the soldiers, initially stunned, soon found their eyes welling up while watching the heartfelt messages filled with love. Corporal So Yu-min and So Ji-min, twin brothers from Pocheon who enlisted on the same day, said after watching the video, “We had no idea our mom would appear. It felt like receiving a surprise gift,” smiling warmly.

Next, the seminar continued with speakers presenting on the theme “Thank You, Father. I Love You, Mother.” Through various literary works, they reflected on the selfless love of parents, helping rekindle appreciation for family bonds. First Lieutenant Kim Dae-yeon from Paju, one of the presenters, shared, “I hope this becomes a time for parents to feel at ease as they see how well their sons and daughters are doing, and for soldiers to draw strength as they think of their parents.”

First Lieutenant Cho Byeong-hoon from Cheorwon, attending military happy seminars for the third time, shared, “When people think of Cheorwon, they only imagine the harsh winters, but the summers are actually extremely hot. The positive memories from these seminars have really helped me endure both the cold and the heat. This time, I wanted to make even better memories, so I invited my parents.” Lee Jong-myeong from Gunpo, who recorded a video letter for his son, said, “I’m proud that my son was selected as a top soldier, but I can’t stop worrying about whether he’s struggling. I hope he remembers his family who’s always cheering him on and overcomes any hardship with strength.”

Before the main event, attendees enjoyed lunch and a variety of side activities, adding an extra layer of joy to the day. With a generous spread that included seasoned thistle rice (gondrebap), cream pasta, and fried chicken, soldiers and their families or fellow servicemen shared a warm meal together. Afterward, they roamed the side-event zones, including a photo booth, a “zero-stress” zone, and a dart-throwing corner, creating cheerful memories. Many soldiers commented, “It felt like eating homemade food for the first time in a while,” and “I released all my stress at the event zone.” Smiling brightly, they returned to their bases with renewed energy.

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