Sunny K. Park Earns Lifetime Achievement Honor For Youth Challenge Support, Encouragement

Sunny K Park • October 10, 2023

Atlanta businessman and Youth Challenge advocate Sunny K. Park was presented the National Guard Youth Challenge Lifetime Achievement Award during the National Guard Youth Challenge Program Annual Workshop 2007 held in Carefree, Ariz., in January. Park will again be recognized for this achievement on February 27, at the National Guard Youth Challenge Foundation “Champions” Dinner in Washington.


Park, a South Korean immigrant who moved to the United States in 1974, has become a highly successful Atlanta entrepreneur whose personal interests and generous support has been directed toward numerous youth and charitable programs.


Since first visiting the Georgia National Guard’s Youth Challenge campus at Fort Stewart in 2000,

Park has become one of the program’s strongest and most supportive advocates.


In an effort to expand the learning experience for thousands of Youth Challenge Academy cadets each year and to provide his own personal “up by your bootstraps” success formula, Park initiated and funded the Good Neighboring Campaign’s “Korea Day.” This unique educational program brings a group of native Koreans to Georgia’s YCA campuses to present the Korea’s culture including its history, the preparation of a traditional Korean meal and a demonstration of the ancient Korean martial art of Tae-Kwon-Do.


According to Park, “My initial goal is to introduce students to the culture of Korea and the work ethic I subscribe to. I then want to encourage them and show them how to achieve their own personal success.”


Park has presented his cultural program and home-spun success philosophy to literally hundreds of “at risk” YCA cadets around the country. For six years, he has presented his “Korea Day” program to the graduating classes of Georgia’s Youth Challenge Academy. He is now carrying his program to Youth Challenge academies in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Louisiana and Arizona.


“The easy way is not always the best way,” says the highly animated and charismatic Park who concludes each presentation with his own success mantra, ‘If Sunny Can – I Can.”


“For over six years, Mr. Park has generously, energetically and enthusiastically supported the Youth Challenge program throughout the nation, promoting its image with the public and providing unique educational opportunities to the cadets,” said Lt. Gen. David B. Poythress, Georgia’s Adjutant General.


From left: Chris Gardner, Office of the Secretary of Defense; Atlanta businessman Sunny Park; and Col. (Ret.) James R. Tinkham, director, NGB Youth Programs gathered in Carefree, Ariz., to present the Youth Challenge Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Speech on General Mike Scaprrotti’s Liberty Award celebration 10 Dec 2025

By Sunny K Park • January 3, 2026
Sunny K. Park, President, American Korean Friendship Society Good evening! I would like to express my gratitude to ICAS and Dr. Kim for granting me the opportunity to offer remarks about tonight's honoree. General Scaparrotti's distinguished military career is widely recognized for its exceptional achievements. I first met General Scaparrotti in Korea at his change of command ceremony; an event officiated by General Dempsey. At the time, I attended as a guest of General Thurman, the outgoing commander, while General Scaparrotti assumed leadership of US Forces in Korea. In subsequent years, specifically from 2022 to 2024, I had the privilege of working alongside General Scaparrotti during his tenure as Chairman of the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA), where I serve on the Advisory Board. Upon taking on this role, General Scaparrotti promptly initiated a conference call with me to gain comprehensive insight into KDVA’s operations. Our conversation lasted over an hour and encompassed both the organization's history and strategic direction. As you can tell, I was one of about 2 dozen leaders of KDVA. I found General Scaparrotti’s genuine commitment to effective leadership and organizational excellence particularly noteworthy. I wish to highlight several personal anecdotes shared by his Korean colleagues. Throughout his nearly forty-year service, he demonstrated unwavering respect for fallen soldiers by displaying their photographs in his office and providing continued support to their families. Notably, in 2015, following an incident in which two Korean Army sergeants were injured by a landmine, General Scaparrotti was the first to visit them in the hospital, encouraging their recovery. Under General Scaparrotti's leadership, KDVA has flourished, further reinforcing the US-Korea alliance. His exemplary leadership and selfless dedication have significantly enhanced the strength and vitality of this crucial partnership. It is my honor to congratulate General Mike Scaparrotti on receiving this year’s ICAS Liberty Award—a recognition that is truly well deserved.

Iconic Sculpture Honoring Veterans’ Sacrifices to be Dedicated at Sandy Springs Park

By Sunny K Park • July 11, 2025
The newly opened Veterans Park is located on the parcel of land between Roswell Road, Johnson Ferry Road, and Mt. Vernon Highway.

The Ellis Island Honors Society honors the importance of immigration to America’s prosperity

By Sunny K Park • March 11, 2025
The Ellis Island Honors Society honors the importance of immigration to America’s prosperity and celebrates the contributions immigrants and their progeny have made to our nation. In 1986, Ellis Island Honors Society founded the Ellis Island Medals of Honor to commemorate the indefatigable spirit of those who immigrated to the United States during the Ellis Island era.  The Medal is presented annually to those who have shown an outstanding commitment to serving our nation either professionally, culturally or civically, among other criteria.