April 22nd. I never saw it coming.

 So today was the Donation Ceremony. We were picked up in the morning and taken to the National Library. There we met old friends and new ones as well as others who had donated to the library over the last year. 

Lunch after introductions and a brief meeting. Nice lunch

The scenario was for the people from the USA to tell what they had donated before all donators pulled down the curtain revealing the block with their name on it showing they had donated something to the National Library. 

It seems simple enough with me speaking for 5 minutes and then Mary Ann. We spoke in English with an interpreter. A nice one. 

But how can you speak about seeing artifacts that have been with you most of your life. I thanked the people who helped find a safe place for all of them, told how it happened and turned the mike over to Mary Ann. 

When she really realized that this was happening, she started crying and could not stop. I was crying with her. But she regained her composure and told how these were part of our life. How when we would see them everyday it would connect us to Korea. The deal was done. 

A couple more speeches and down with the curtain. So here are the photos I have. 

In front of the screen. 

Pointing at our block

Showing our donation

Below our other plaque 

Our plaque 

After the ceremony 

Some of our donations.