Compared to service members of World War II and the Vietnam War, veterans of the Korean War have received less attention. The conflict, which lasted from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953, is frequently referred to as the "Forgotten War" because it never struck the American public the way that other wars did. Perhaps this is because the Korean War was never officially declared a war and ended in a stalemate. In spite of that, 38,000 of the 2 million soldiers who served in Korea lost their lives during the three years of fighting.

Now, over 60 years after the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement, Korean veterans in Grand Rapids, Michigan, are getting the recognition they deserve. On July 28, the community gathered to honor 69 veterans of the Korean war. During the event, the veterans shared their war experiences and expressed their gratitude for the community's appreciation for their service.

William Wright, one of the veterans, told WZZM News, "It makes a man feel proud of himself. It makes you feel good to know that some people respect you."

The deputy consul general of the Korean Consulate General in Chicago, Jae-woong Lee, was also invited to the ceremony. Lee presented 22 of the veterans with the Korean Ambassador for Peace medal. 

The men and women who serve in the nation's military face many challenges when coming home. Their lives after service should be full of enjoyment and rediscovery, but sometimes they are plagued with anxiety. Physical injury and emotional damage like post-traumatic stress disorder are fairly common struggles for veterans. However, financial uncertainties and housing instability are also issues for returning service members. 

We Honor Veterans reported that about 58,000 veterans are homeless on any given night, and there are currently more homeless Vietnam-era veterans than there were American deaths in the actual war. But are these numbers decreasing under the Obama administration? On July 21, during his interview with Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show", the president said his administration decreased veteran homelessness by a third. Based on the the Department of Housing and Urban Development "point in time" counts, the number of homeless veterans was, in fact, down by 33 percent from the last year. Obama and his team also increased the budget for veteran homelessness from $400 million to $1.5 billion since 2009. 

Some experts argue that the numbers surrounding veteran homelessness are difficult to track, but according to the Tampa Bay Times, most agree that the figures Obama shared are accurate.

On July 26, 140 participants gathered to compete in Burr Ridge's 2nd Annual Run for Veterans 5K and Push-Up Challenge. The event was started in 2013 by Paulina Ozols​, who had worked with local veterans and heard about the struggles they face when returning to civilian life after service. Ozols partnered with Burr Ridge Mayor Mickey Straub to organize the race and push-up contest. They designed it so that all entry fees, donations, and sponsorships go directly to the veterans' organization they chose that year. The 2014 event raised $14,000, and Mayor Straub hopes that number continues to increase. 

At the event's opening, the mayor called to mind the Gettysburg address, "Remember some of the core principles on God, liberty, community, patriotism, and remember that, 'We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.' The more we can do to really honor our vets the more we will be supporting that mission."

This year's organization was the Lone Survivor Foundation, which is dedicated to helping veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder through therapy and support. Ozol and Straub hope that the event continues to grow and encourage the support of the nation's veterans.

Life can be stressful for military families. Long separations make it difficult on parents and kids alike. However, when the family is together again, a vacation can be the perfect way to reconnect and relax. The examples below are just a few of the many places that offer great vacation packages for military service members. 

San Diego, California
This city is an amazing blend of landscapes. San Diego has beaches, mountains and deserts. Its mild climate and friendly reputation make it a great vacation destination for anyone. San Diego's reputation for supporting the armed forces make it an even better place for military families to visit. Military members receive free admission to certain attractions such as the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and the San Diego History Center. Families of active duty military get discounts to these locations as well.

Active Heroes Military Family Retreat Center
The camp is located in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The Active Heroes Military Family Retreat Center was designed by military families to help promote bonding and healing. It is free for military families to come for the weekend and participate in archery, cookouts, camping and more.

Universal Studios
This theme park is known for taking visitors on an adventure through film-making history. There are plenty of rides and activities to keep the whole family entertained, and the best part of the Universal Studios is that it offers military discounts at both its Los Angeles and Orlando locations. 

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
As home to an air force base, Myrtle Beach has no shortage of patriotism. Military members and their families can relax on the city's 60 miles of beaches or engage in a little friendly competition at one of the 100 golf courses. Many hotels, attractions and restaurants in the area offer military discounts.

Camp Noble Cause
Tucked away in the wilderness of Rockaway, New Jersey, this camp gives military families the chance to boat, fish, swim, camp, hike and engage in many more outdoor activities. The Boy Scouts of America and the Patriots' Path Council offer their camp to military members and their families at no cost. Camp Noble Cause takes place one weekend every year and provides the ideal setting for military family bonding. 

Disneyland or Disney World
​What better place to take the family on vacation than the Happiest Place on Earth? Disney theme parks are an excellent way to make memories with your kids. Both of the parks offer military family discount packages. They even allow military spouses to use the discount without the military member being present. 

SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment
Has your family been begging you to visit Shamu or pet a sea turtle? It may be the right time to take them to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens. Both parks grant military members and up to three dependents free admission. Just like the Disney parks, SeaWorld allows military spouses free admission without the presence of the military member. 

Camp Gratitude
This week-long getaway is free for military members and their families. The camp was started as a way of expressing appreciation for the service of military members. Camp Gratitude offers activities throughout the week that promote bonding, relaxation and healing. Many of the activities are designed to help veterans or members who have experienced deployment cope with any issues they may have.

Vacations are an important part of family bonding and memory-making. They are a perfect time to get to know each other again after a deployment and can even help alleviate some of the emotional trauma military members may have experienced in combat. Before booking a trip, remember to scout around for place that support military families. There are plenty of destinations around the country that offer deals and discounts to service members and their families. 

Starting a family is an exciting time in life. It is not without its stresses, though. These can be more difficult when you are deployed. There are ways to be a part of this monumental time even when you are halfway across the world.

Prepare
You and your spouse should prepare emotionally for the fact that you may not make it back in time for the delivery. Even if you believe that you will be able to return for the birth of your child, prepare for the unpredictable. Have a backup plan to be Skyped into the delivery room should something arise that prevents your return home. Before you deploy, assist your spouse with enrollment in military mother support groups and classes. Decide on a doctor and schedule as many future appointments together as you can. You and your spouse can tentatively plan a time to talk each week to discuss the pregnancy.

Communicate
As with most things in a relationship, communication is key. Call as frequently as is convenient for you and your spouse. Make the most of these phone calls by inquiring about doctor's appointments, developments with the pregnancy and difficulties your spouse may be having. It is important for you to be there for your spouse emotionally even if you cannot be there physically. You should also communicate your worries or excitement, too. Pregnancy puts a strain on ordinary marriages. For military couples, it is especially trying, but by maintaining good lines of communication you can help each other through the difficulties.

Share
Pregnancy is not all stress and worry. It should involve excitement and joy, as well. When you speak, swap baby name ideas and nursery decorating plans. Dial in on a video call when your spouse goes baby clothes shopping so you can give your input on what your little boy or girl will be wearing. Don't be afraid to ask for monthly belly pictures and ultrasound videos. You should want to see how your future son or daughter is growing and how your spouse is changing along the way. Ask your spouse what she is craving at different times during the pregnancy and coordinate with friends and family back home to make sure she has plenty of pickles, peanut butter and whatever else she may enjoy at the time. When you are feeling homesick for your growing family, it can be helpful to find other members of your unit who are expecting a child and share your experiences.

Track
Before you deploy, download a pregnancy tracker app. This way, if you reach a point in your deployment when communication with your spouse may be limited, you will always have an idea what is going on. If you have enough time before you ship out, it would also be nice to plan surprise packages that coincide with the different stages of pregnancy and arrange for them to be delivered monthly to your spouse. 

You are preparing to take on two of life's greatest roles: soldier and parent. It can be difficult to be so far away from your family during this important time in your life, but the suggestions listed above should help you stay involved with your spouse's pregnancy while you are deployed.

Veterans of World War II from across the country are invited to a celebration marking the 70th anniversary of the war's end. The event will be held in the Alabama National Cemetery and the American Village in Montevallo, Alabama, on Aug. 8. The gathering is a chance for veterans who participated in Honor Flight Birmingham, a program that flew them to Washington D.C. to visit the WWII memorials, to reunite and share their stories. The other program in the event is called "Keep the Spirit of '45 Alive". This portion of the celebration will honor the Greatest Generation and feature a fly-over by WWII aircraft. There will also be a special re-enactment of the flag raising at Iwo Jima. 

The program's co-founder Pam Nichols told Alabama.com that they would not be sending out invitations to the event, but she hopes that the community would spread the word to encourage involvement. She stated that she especially wants caretakers to make sure that WWII veterans have the opportunity to attend this event. Last year's event had 32 WWII veterans in attendance, but Nichols would like to honor even more this year.

For more information on the event, click here.

It is not every day that one sees scantily clad military members hiking together, but residents of San Diego, California, were treated to just such a sight on July 25. More than 50 active duty service members and veterans banded together for a 13-mile walk from the Mission Beach jetty to La Jolla cove. The hikers, all shirtless and in short shorts, were part of an event called "22, with 22, for the 22" during which they walked 22 kilometers carrying 22 kilograms to raise awareness for the 22 veterans that commit suicide each day. 

The founders of the beach hike are a veterans' group called Irreverent Warriors. Their mission is to help veterans out of their depression and anxiety through humor. They hope their hike does more than raise awareness to veteran suicide. They want struggling veterans to recognize that there are support groups available if only they reach out.  

Retired Marine and Irreverent Warriors co-founder Donny O'Malley told Take Action, "If I can get guys together, and if I can inspire little Irreverent Warriors groups to start popping up across the country, then [veterans] who are alone and lonely and in a dark place will feel supported and loved."

O'Malley's Irreverent Warriors inspired a second hike on Aug. 1, in Houston, Texas. 

Three years ago, Delaware Valley University and Rodale Institute partnered to create a program for veterans who were looking to pursue farming as a career in their lives after service. The Veteran Organic Farming Program teaches these former service members the knowledge and skills they need to be successful at organic farming and agriculture. Most veterans are used to hard work and long hours outside, so they are already have the physical preparedness to be farmers. As for mental readiness, a director of the program told Army Times that the unpredictability of nature is similar to the erratic environment of the battlefield. Farmers, like soldiers, must be prepared to change action at anytime. 

The 36-hour certificate program requires participants to attend to classroom-based courses like animal science, plant and animal disease, entomology and agricultural marketing. In addition to these courses, the veterans are expected to log hours in stables, fields and greenhouses for hands-on training.

The Veteran Organic Farming Program was created to help combat veteran unemployment rates. The White House reported that in 2013, there were over 783,000 unemployed veterans in the U.S. The VOFP hopes to give veterans a chance to build their own careers. And thanks to GI Bill benefits, the program costs nothing for veterans.

On July 21, President Obama attended the 116th Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention. With veterans' issues in the media spotlight, the president traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and took to the stage to address the nearly 10,000 attendees. According to the White House, President Obama addressed issues like health care for veterans' health care, the VA's performance, civilian and military relations, and American foreign policy and overseas leadership. During his speech, Obama thanked the veterans for their service and sacrifice. He said that the bravery and selfless spirit of veterans is the reason the U.S. endures. He went on to discuss his hopes for the future of America's leadership roles overseas. The president said that sending troops into battle should not be the first course of action when dealing with foreign countries. He expressed his wishes for developing a system where policy leaders "exhaust every alternative" before engaging in foreign conflict. 

Obama stressed a need for better support for veterans who are trying to establish a life after service. The Obama administration is responsible for getting VA benefits to 2 million veterans who previously went without them. The president ended his speech by honoring the victims of the shooting in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

To read the president's full speech, click here. 

Scott LoBaido is not a veteran, but he is a patriot in every sense of the word. The 50-year-old artist is well known for using his creative talents to support the servicemembers who protect the country. In 2006, LoBaido embarked on a 10-month cross-country tour during which he painted the American flag on a rooftop in every state. In 2010, LoBaido set a recorded by painting the world's largest American flag near Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas.

LoBaido​'s latest undertaking is called the Fifty State Tour. Once again, he plans to visit all 50 states in the U.S. This time, however, LoBaido will be painting one of his famous renditions of the American flag on a VFW or American Legion post in every state. LoBaido always wanted his art to express gratitude for the service of American military members and veterans and is using this tour as a way to say thanks. 

"I became fascinated with preserving the symbols of the countless brave Americans who stood, fought, marched, and sacrificed so much for our livelihood," he said on his personal website. 

Every VFW or American Legion gets a different version of the painted flag, and it takes the artist about two to three days to finish each one. As of July 22, LoBaido had completed 40 of the 50 flags and was on schedule to complete his tour by August 2015.