[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL Peace Tours of Man-hee Lee (14): Remembering the lessons of the Korean War onboard SS Meredith Victory and becoming one with the Maya peoples through ‘peace’

On November 6, 2013, upon the visit of Chairman Lee to the municipality of Chuarrancho, Guatemala, where the Mayan peoples live, a Mayan leader greets Chairman Lee with a handshake and a pat on the shoulder, and presents Chairman Lee with a white Panama hat and bag with the spirit of the people. This is the most respected kind of greeting in Mayan culture

Chairman Man-hee Lee speaks during the Peace Seminar on board the SS Meredith Victory anchored in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro Bay on November 1, 2013

On May 25, 2013, Chairman Lee proclaimed the Declaration of World Peace and launched a global peace movement through the founding of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL). In particular, on November 1 of the same year, during his 7th Peace Tour, Chairman Lee visited SS Meredith Victory, anchored in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro Bay.

SS Meredith Victory, known for its evacuation of UN forces and Korean civilians at anchor off of Hungnam during the Korean War, now operates as a maritime museum where one can experience a glimpse of the past. Chairman Lee, who also served as a veteran of the Korean War as a young student soldier, held a peace seminar on that same day to an audience of 50 youth group heads, 500 youth, 100 distinguished guests, and 50 media outlets.

Chairman Lee is greeted by locals enroute to SS Meredith Victory anchored in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro Bay on November 1, 2013

Witnessing the deaths of his fellow countrymen in the Korean War, Chairman Lee pledged to achieve peace and liberation for his people and the world. He publicly exclaimed, “Should a young person die in war, robbed of the opportunity to live? Who is going to compensate for the death of that youth? Will you give them life again?” He has brought out many like questions regarding the cessation of war for the human race.

At the peace event, Chairman Lee also emphasized that “wars must end” and “the peace that both heaven and the world desire must be fulfilled.” Chairman Lee shouted chants of “world peace” to the attendees onboard, whose response of “We Can Do It” resounded throughout the ship. Dutch Captain Hubert von Lettberg, who participated in the Korean War, was present and received great attention from the local media.

During the Peace Seminar held at SS Meredith Victory anchored in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro Bay on November 1, 2013, Chairman Man-her Lee shakes hands with Jim Dear, Mayor of the City of Carson, Los Angeles, who was a distinguished guest at the event

More than 100 people, including Maya peace activist Jose Munoz, Mayor Jim Dear of the City of Carson, Vice Consul General Julio Calderon of El Salvador, and Miss Los Angeles Annalisa Matias, attended the event. Maya peace activist Jose Munoz said with regards to Chairman Lee's message, "I was surprised to witness the energy and humility of Chairman Lee. His message massively inspired me."

Mayor Jim Dear of the City of Carson, who attended the event, joined the HWPL Peace Movement, followed by Mayor Albert Robles, who, on June 4, 2018, declared the 'City of Carson Proclamation in Recognition of Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) Awareness Week' from June 9-15 2018. The following year, he attended the Los Angeles Peace Conference hosted by HWPL.

On November 1, 2013, the participants at the Peace Seminar held on SS Meredith Victory anchored in the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro Bay respond to the shout of “World Peace” by Chairman Lee with chants of “We Can Do It”, fists clenched in pledge

During this peace tour, there was an individual who came to see Chairman Lee in Guatemala on the 4th November: Santos Mapadora, the leader of one of the 22 Mayan tribes.

After meeting with Chairman Lee, he contacted him later that day. And on the next day, on the 5th, he introduced Chairman Lee to Carlos Enrique Batzín Chojoj, Minister of Culture and Sport of Guatemala, who was also a key representative of the Maya tribe. He even prepared his own gift to give to Chairman Lee.

Chairman Lee, during his visit to Guatemala on November 5, 2013, is taking a commemorative photo with Carlos Enrique Batzín Chojoj, Minister of Culture and Sport of Guatemala, who also leads one of the Mayan tribes

Minister Carlos Chojoj met with Chairman Lee and said, "Many countries in Latin America, as well as Guatemala, are eager for peace.” After the meeting, Chairman Lee and Minister Carlos Chojoj signed a peace agreement. This was the first peace agreement in the history of the Maya peoples.

Afterwards, a meeting was held with Mayan leaders, in which Chairman Lee was informed that the Mayan people had been eagerly awaiting a meeting with the 'Peace Messenger'. Chairman Lee immediately coordinated his schedule and visited the municipality of Chuarrancho, home to the Mayan people. The Mayan village is located at an altitude of 1350m above sea level. Upon hearing the news of Chairman Lee's visit, the residents gathered in one place in preparation for a peace festival. The Maya tribesmen dressed in traditional costumes and held flower poles, greeting the Chairman with the most hospitable treatment.

Chairman Lee meets with Mayan village leaders during a tour of Guatemala on November 6, 2013

Chairman Lee's peace movement became known throughout Guatemala through interviews with Azteca Guatemala, Guatevisión, and Canal 7 (Guatemala).

Meanwhile, a Peace Walk was held at El Trompo (Trompo Interactive Museum) in Tijuana, Mexico. As the procession of the peace walk, which started at the museum, entered the city of Tijuana, passersby joined the procession, making the procession longer and more spectacular. After the peace walk, booths were installed to allow citizens to register with HWPL.

“I believe that our duty today is to carry out this movement for peace”, said Chairman Lee. “This peace movement will be left as a legacy for future generations, and in the future, many people will live in peace and this path will shine in history.”

On November 6, 2013, Chairman Lee visited the municipality of Chuarrancho, which is populated by Mayan people, after the tribe head said that the Mayan people had been waiting for the messenger of peace. Villagers are dressed in traditional attire as they listen to Chairman Lee's message of peace

On November 6, 2013, Chairman Lee visited the municipality of Chuarrancho, which is populated by Mayan people, after the tribe head said that the Mayan people had been waiting for the messenger of peace. Mayan residents listen as Chairman Lee proclaims a message of peace

Peace!!