September 18, 2000

We gather here tonight to honor the sacrifice and bravery of those valiant soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who fought and died for freedom in the "Land of the Morning Calm." We also honor, in particular, the equally dedicated men and women of the cryptologic services who provided a priceless advantage to the commanders of the United Nations forces in their efforts to bring the war to an acceptable conclusion. Because of their hard work and dedication, millions of individuals live in freedom today.

It is our hope that this new exhibit will provide you with a keen appreciation of the desperate situation faced by General Walker's 8th Army in its defense of the "Pusan Perimeter," and how the twin resources of SIGINT and COMSEC helped United Nations forces to overcome a huge North Korean advantage in manpower and assets. In addition to highlighting the assistance provided to the besieged forces at Pusan, the exhibit also focuses on the many ways SIGINT assisted the coalition forces in the winning of the air campaign against the North.

This event is only the beginning of a concerted effort to let the American people know just how important the "provide and protect" mission of the NSA is in preserving the national security of our nation, both in the present day, and well into the future. Thank you for helping us to celebrate what we consider a very special event. Our sincere hope is that this exhibit will serve as a constant reminder of the importance of our vital mission and of the service and sacrifice of the individuals who have paid the ultimate price in the defense of the United States of America.

Sincerely,

MICHAEL V. HAYDEN
Lieutenant General, USAF
Director, NSA/Chief, CSS

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