As part of Korean Heritage Day on July, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Susan Ahn Cuddy of Los Angeles was honored as the Dodgers Veteran of the Game. Cuddy is American born and daughter of one of California’s first Korean immigrant families. Her father Dosan Ahn Chang Ho and her mother Yi Hye Ryon (Helen Ahn) were the first married couple to come to the US from Korea in 1902. Dosan was a freedom fighter who dedicated his life to save Korea from Japanese imperialism. Her mother was a central figure in the early Korean community in Southern California. Helen Ahn instilled patriotism for Korea and America in Susan.

Cuddy enlisted in 1942 to defend the United States after the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was stationed across the country serving as a WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) Link Instructor training Naval Pilots in Air Combat and Gunnery tactics. Cuddy worked with U.S. Navy Intelligence and become the Division Director for the National Security Agency. She worked on many top secret projects for the Department of Defense and other agencies during her service with the United States Government. Her accolades include the 2003 Women of the Year from the California State Assembly and the American Courage Award from the Asian American Justice Center in Washington, DC.

Korean Heritage Day also included pre-game a pregame performance by members of the Korean mega-group Girls’ Generation and the National Korean Taekwondo Team. “American Idol” 2012 finalist Heejun sang “God Bless America.” Following the game Hyun-Jin Ryu and Girls’ Generation were named as honorary ambassadors of Korean Tourism.