The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

Letters
Thanks KWVA members and The Graybeards
Last fall someone (I can’t remember who) gave me your name
and address and suggested I write you for help. This person knew
I had been searching for almost three years for my best friend. We
had been gunners on the same B-29 crew in combat over Korea.
Early this year I began hearing from men who said they were
KWVA members and had seen my appeal for help in The
Graybeards magazine. It had appeared in the January-February
issue. Several of them knew what had happened to my buddy, others
offered various ways of trying to assist me in finding him, and
others said they did not know him or were able to offer any suggestions
but simply wanted me to know they had compassion for
my search.
As of this date I have heard from over a dozen KWVA members
and have become an e-mail correspondent with several of
them. One I heard from turned out to be at Kadena AFB during
the same time we were there (May-December 1952) and was on
a number of the same combat missions we were. He was in the
93rd Bomb Squadron and we were in the 28th. However both
squadrons were part of the 19th Bomb Group.
His name is Darold Woodcock and we correspond on a regular
basis. I was extremely impressed with the common feeling of
wanting to help a fellow Korean War vet that was evident in all of
the men who contacted me. Another turned out to be from a town
less than 60 miles from my home and he (Tag Jensen of Leesville,
LA) and I are hoping to find enough Korean War vets in Central
Louisiana to form a KWVA chapter. Yes, thanks to the warm feeling
I received from all who contacted me, I am now a member of
the KWVA. My membership card came a few weeks ago.
Back to my friend. Less than a week before I heard from the
first KWVA member I found out about my buddy. In early
January 1999 1 received a letter from a lady in Florida. Her husband,
now retired, had been Senior Pilot with Ozark Airlines, later
absorbed by TWA. The retired Ozark pilots have an association
with a monthly newsletter. The Florida folks had just received
their January issue about the same time their sister in law from
Ohio came for a visit. The Ohio lady brought a clipping she had
just cut out of Grit magazine. It was one I had written them about
the same time I wrote Graybeards. Theirs was published a few
weeks prior to yours.
In the January issue of the Retired Ozark Pilots Association
there was a brief news story telling of the death of one of their
members, James A. (Jim) Eckols in a one-car accident near
Phoenix, AZ, on the night of December 7, 1998. In later weeks I
have found out more details, including the fact he had an ex-wife
and two daughters I never knew about. He also had a seven month
old grandson that he adored. I have since been in e-mail contact
with them.
That I knew about Jim when the first KWVA man contacted
me in no way changes the fact that they rallied to assist a fellow
veteran in whatever way they could. It made an impression that
will be with me as long as I live.
By the way, two friends and I were on a trip visiting several
military museums and one stop was at the USS Alabama in
Mobile, AL. I was wearing my Korean War Veteran cap and was
hailed from several decks below by a gentlemen inquiring about
my outfit, etc. After a few minutes conversation back and forth we
met a short time later and introduced ourselves. He was Harley
Coon along with three State of Alabama KWVA officials. Had a
great 20 or 30 minute visit with them. Told them about the
response to my letter to Graybeards and of my intention to be one
of them.
My main purpose in writing is to tell you what you already
know, namely that there are a great bunch of men who make up
the KWVA and I’m proud to become a part of them. I just wish I
had know about all of you many years ago. May God Bless You
All. Clyde G. Durham, 1016 Hwy 3128, Pineville, LA 71360-
8531. Tel: 318 445-3247, E-mail address cgbsdurham@aol.com
(Thank you Clyde for the kind words. We are very proud of
our Association and the membership. They did their duty when
called and today they continue in any way to help families and
veterans. We are also proud to have you as a member.)
Flag of Remembrance
The veterans flag is long overdue. This flag is in recognition of
veterans past, present and future. In making this flag I have used
as few words and colors as possible so at a glance them seeing it
will know its heart warming message and will remember. This
will awaken all of us of our military forces of today scattered
throughout the world enabling us to remain free. This flag has
thirteen (13) stars and thirteen (13) stripes for the beginning of
this nation.
1. The thirteen stars are colored in gold in recognition of Gold
Star Mothers and wives. This will keep alive the memories of
them who made the Supreme Sacrifice so we would remain free.
Flag of Remembrance: NH Registration TM-2 Vol. 78 Page 155. Designed and
registered By Charles R. Bell, 123 Rt.#27, Raymond, NH 03077.
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The Graybeards