Seoul, 18 April 2008 – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul reported to the Department that Technical Sergeant Megazar Obra, a Philippine Honor Guard at the Yongsan Base in South Korea, was awarded the Six Star Salute medal by the United Service Organizations, Korea (USO) in colorful ceremonies at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on 17 April 2008. Korean and US military officials, dignitaries and prominent businessmen attended the gala dinner.

USO Korea - a group of American and Korean businessmen – chose TSG Obra and other enlisted men from the US, ROK and Thailand to express their gratitude for their exemplary service throughout South Korea. “These dedicated individuals are selected by their commanders to represent the finest military forces in the Republic of Korea,” according to USO Executive Director David Proch. “For two days, the honorees shall be regarded as VIPs in Seoul and will participate in special activities and events,” he added. In his keynote address during the ceremony, Gen. Burwell B. Bell, Commander of the United States Forces Korea, thanked the Philippines and Thailand for their continuing role in helping preserve the peace in the Korean peninsula. The Philippines, together with 16 other countries that signed the 1953 armistice with North Korea, is required to send representatives to the U.N. Command (UNC) on a rotating basis. TSG Obra is one of the three Filipino honor guards deployed by the Philippine government to the UNC. He hails from Pandan, Antique and is married with five children.