Korean Thanksgiving Day - Chuseok

Around this time every year, Koreans celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival like the Thanksgiving Day in the United States called "Chuseok". Chuseok is one of the biggest festivals in Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar on the full moon. This year’s Chuseok falls on September 15, 2016.

Chuseok is one of the ancestral memorial rites that have been done for thousands of years in Korea. The rite is carried out in the morning of Chuseok, and families hold a memorial service for their ancestors.

After memorial service at home, entire family members visit their ancestors' graves and give ancestors deep bow serving with foods they specially prepared for the special day. Family members also clean around the grave area by cutting and trimming weeds and trees.

On the occasion of the Harvest Moon, I would like to wish Koreans especially Vietnam War veterans at home and abroad a great joy and happy festival. Thanks.