The Complete Issue - Korean War Veterans Association

14
Follow-up from Reno
By Arthur G. Sharp
We recently completed a successful KWVA Convention in Reno, NV. We
will carry a complete “After Action Report” in the Nov/Dec 2007 issue of
The Graybeards—including an accurate account of what
actually happened. Suffice it to say at this point that the attendees
comported themselves collegially—in the true spirit of “For the Good
of the Order”—and enjoyed everything that Reno had to offer.
The most important things that we learned are these facts:
• The KWVA is solvent, and will be for the next few years
• The friendly economic and social ties between the U.S. and
Korea continue to strengthen
• The membership is realizing more than ever that dissent can be
a positive thing—if it is offered constructively, rather than through
venomous attacks on the leadership that are based on rumor and innuendo
• Friendships and camaraderie formed in the military are enduring—and
can even survive inter-service rivalries
• The VA is doing its best to improve the services it delivers to our
nation’s veterans—and succeeding in its efforts
• The 2008 Convention will be held in Norfolk, VA. We will start
covering it in the next issue.
One of the highlights of the Convention was the keynote speech
presented at the banquet by Korea’s Ambassador to the U.S., Tae Sik
Lee. His speech was a variation of his October 2007 presentation at a
Korean American Meeting in the largest Korean-American community
in America, “Koreatown,” which is along Wilshire Boulevard in
Los Angeles, California. It is said that one million Koreans and
Korean-Americans live in Los Angeles County. And, given the economic
giant that the Republic of Korea has become, it is not strange
at all that “Koreatown” straddles the world’s longest commercial
street—Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.
Ambassador Tae Sik Lee was the guest of honor and the featured
speaker. His speech was both moving and highly perceptive regarding
the future of the vital US-ROK Mutual Defiance Alliance. It was
equally so at the KWVA Convention. For that reason, we share it with
you here.
Ambassador Lee: Korea-U.S. Partnership becomes More Dynamic
Speech by Ambassador Lee is as follows:
I recently came across a poem, which you may have heard – it was
written in honor of the national Korean War Veterans Memorial dedicated
in 1995.
I’d like to open with the first few verses. It’s called “We Remember,” and
it begins:
Those we left there in the cold
We remember… we remember
Have no fears of growing old
Oh do we remember
Those who fell in prison yards
We remember… we remember
Savage weather, savage guards
Oh do we remember
Those who died face down in mud
We remember… we remember
Asian soil, Yankee blood
Oh do we remember…
I want to thank you all for coming – We are here today to remember –
and to honor an impressive gathering of gallant Korean War veterans. We
also celebrate 54 years of the Korea-US alliance, one of the most successful
alliances in history.
The fact is, without the service of such dedicated veterans, there would
be no Korea-US alliance. Moreover, there would be no Republic of Korea.
Veterans’ Contributions
Looking back 57 years, South Korea’s future was very much in doubt.
With the aid of the United States and the UN, we were engaged in a battle
for survival.
Nearly everyone who fought recalls the brazen summer heat – or the
killing winter cold. The harsh terrain, chaos and confusion, the hunger and
exhaustion…
Some tell of taking off their shoes to make it easier to slog through the
mud. Or laying out their blankets to soak up rain water to wring into their
empty canteens. Worse still are the myriad stories of agonizing decisions
and heartbreaking loss.
As one observer wrote about Korea, “War has seldom shown American
soldiers a harsher face.”
In the month of September 1950, US combat losses were heavier than
at any other time during the war, the casualties totaling nearly 20 thousand.
But by the end of that deadly month — the tide began to turn.
Through an audacious amphibious triumph, Incheon was secured.
After weeks of bitter struggle, the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter was
won.
In the face of sharp resistance, Seoul was recovered as well —and on
this date, September 29th, 1950, General MacArthur and Korean
President Syngman Rhee triumphantly entered the capital city.
Seoul would fall again — and be reclaimed again — as the war dragged
on for nearly 3 more years. But the events of that September revealed the
mettle of the US forces. And to this day, the Korean people remain grateful
to the heroes who rushed to Korea’s defense.
That said, I know that the thanks have been incredibly slow in coming.
In fact, in a new book just out this week, the author describes the Korean
War as “a war that sometimes seems to have been orphaned by history.”
This book, aptly titled “The Coldest Winter,” by the famous American
writer, David Halberstam, contrasts the views of the troops on the ground
with those of the decision-makers more removed. At the outset, the
author raises the notion that the troops sent to Korea were asked to
(quote) “die for a tie.”
Well, I have to address that proposition. I want to assure you — the outcome
may not have been so clear back then. With 2 million Korean casualties,
the country was left in ruin. But if you look at the North and the
South today – the contrast could not be starker.
North Korea is in shambles, the people starving. The growing desperation
of refugees willing to risk everything to escape is also very telling.
South Korea, on the other hand, stands as a modern, vibrant and proud
democracy, the world’s 11th largest economy, and a contributing mem-
September-October 2007
The Graybeards