The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

CILHI needs your help
Dear Dr. Goldman, Hello, I hope you are well. I am a physical
anthropologist from the Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii;
we met at the AAFS meetings this year in Reno. We were only able
to talk briefly at the meetings, but I am very interested in speaking
with you more about mortuary-processing procedures used during
the Korean War. There are two cases here at the laboratory from
that era and we have been unsuccessful in sequencing them for
mtDNA. Both cases are represented by complete skeletons and are
in good condition, so the reasoning behind the sequencing problems
are mystifying. At this point, we think it must have something
to do with the way the bodies were prepared at the overseas mortuaries.
It would be of great help to us in identifying these individuals,
if you could provide any information you may have on the processing
procedures. From archival research, I have discovered that
fungicides were poured on the bodies, but it has been difficult discovering
what types of chemicals were used in the fungicides.
There has also been concern that fluorescent light was possibly
used on the bodies, but we have not been able to find a specific reference
corresponding with that information.
There are approximately 800 unknown Korean War Veterans
buried currently in the Punchbowl Cemetery here in Hawaii. We
hope to overcome this problem with the mtDNA sequencing in
order to identify these individuals and send them home to their
families and friends. Any help you could provide us concerning
mortuary-processing procedures would be greatly appreciated.
Please feel free to call, write, or e-mail me; I look forward to hearing
from you. Sincerely, Gretchen A. Nelson, Physical
Anthropologist, (808) 448-8062 ext. 16 or nelsong@cilhi.
army.mil
(“Doc” Goldman asked me to print this letter in hopes that others
out there may have answers to these questions and can respond to
Gretchen A. Nelson.–Editor)
Memories
The Memory can be the saddest, ugliest, most tragic scar one
can have, it leaves no visible sign on the body, face or in ones eyes,
this memory lays dormant in the far reaches of ones mind never
ever going away.
There are days, weeks, and months, when there is complete
calm and peace of mind. Then one day something triggers the
memory. An awakening, one recalls the tragedies of war:
Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans’ Day are just a
few veterans holidays that remind us to remember those men and
women who fought for our country. Other events include watching
and participating in parades, raising the American flag and lowering
it at half staff, playing taps in honor of those who gave up their
lives for freedom at memorial services held at village halls
throughout the land and attending flag raising ceremonies at public
buildings. Independence Day (July 4) is a significant holiday
that brings out emotional feelings for the veterans and families.
Watching the spectacular fireworks displays brings back memories
of bombs bursting in the air, small fire arms, fire fights, grenades
raining down upon us while charging up a hill. The enemy dropping
mortar rounds in ones’ back pocket with precision accuracy.
All those noises remind me of those far off lands, terrifying noises
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that would rake the sky and hills with its chilling sound. Oh, yes,
we remember that bloody., bloody Korea.
We were a nation of many countries coming together for the
first time in history for a single cause, standing tall against the
aggression of communism:
Australia
Netherlands
Belgium
New Zealand
Canada
Norway
Columbia
Philippines
Denmark
Union of South Africa
Ethiopia
United Kingdom
France
United States of America
Greece
Sweden
India
Thailand
Italy
Turkey
Luxembourg
Republic of South Korea
In a place called the land of the morning calm, that bloody,
bloody Korea.
History says that we fought gallantly against odds, five times
greater than ours did. Because of our determination not to be driven
out of Korea, and because of Americas stand in Vietnam against
communist aggression, and the crumbling of the Berlin Wall, communism
is losing its foothold against the free world.
The year 2000 will mark 50 years since the beginning of the
Korean War, and we are still defending the 38th parallel helping to
keep South Korea free. 54,246 Americans would die and another
103,284 were wounded in action while 7140 were taken prisoners
and 8,179 are still listed as missing in action.
Oh, yes, we remember that bloody, bloody Korea.
(This very strong and important message was sent to me by Bill
Minnich of the South Suburban Chapter of Illinois.–Editor)
Keysville, VA Korean Memorial dedication
There will be a parade down main street in Keysville, VA. on
Saturday August 12th at 11 am followed by the dedication of the
memorial in construction at this time with the help of the community
of Keysville, Korean veterans and their famlies. Contact J.
Clements at e-mail address
Maine Korean War Vets Remember!
Korean War era vets and family members and friends, are invited
to attend a special 50th Anniversary of the Korean War
Commemoration Reunion at Bangor on August 18-20, 2000 in
remembrance of those who served, bled, fought, died in the cause
of Freedom in Korea and throughout the world - especially those
who did not come home, our MIA, and their family members. The
reunion will be held in conjunction with the 24th annual reunion of
the Atlantic Provinces Korea Veterans Association, Canada. The
event will be hosted by the BurtonGoode-Sargent Chapter #1,
Korean War Veterans Association, Bangor, and the CPL Clair
Goodblood Chapter #2, KWVA, Augusta.
On Saturday August 19, there will be a full-dress parade in
downtown Bangor. A number of military and civilian organizations
are scheduled to participate. Anyone who would like to participate
in the parade or for details are requested to contact Ken Buckley at
207 Forest Ave., Bangor 04401, telephone 1-207-942-2701 or by
The Graybeards