On December 1st 2009 Koreans were clapping hard with their eyes gleaming as Isaac Pak a Korean-American student received an "Eagle" Scout award in the Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Phelan. Isaac Pak has been participating as a member of the boy scouts in the Phelan VFW for 9 years his goal being to receive the "Eagles" scout award. "I feel great honoring both the Veterans and representing our country this way" says Isaac Pak. Korean Americans have made an impact on the VFW and showed how Koreans can do as much.
"I am very proud of my son and I am really glad that a Korean-American was the first ever to receive the highest award given in a Caucasian VFW area" says In Ja Pak Isaac's mother. It was big news for some Koreans as one of them was the first to win the best award. "We showed those people how Korean can be the best and from now on they may not underestimate us" says Hee Young Lee a student's mom. In some Korean people's perspectives Isaac getting the "Eagles" scout award was not as important as the fact that a Korean was the first to get the award.
"I am much honored and I feel great that Isaac has won the Eagles scout award because he deserved it. I've seen him grow and I've always seen him work hard to earn what he has now" says Dave Bazylak a member in the VFW. Isaac proudly says his nine years of working paid off because he was not also glad to win the award but even gladder in the fact that he honored his own nationality.
To some Korean-Americans in Phelan December 1st 2009 was a great day for them as a student of their kind was the first to do something in a place which they weren't born in. Some think Isaac Pak achieving the Eagles scout award had an impact on Korean-Americans living in Phelan.