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The Editor’s Desk
Art Sharp
6
Win, lose or draw: does it
matter? ©
“I don’t know what happened. All I
know is that we were winning the war
when I left.” That’s an old joke about a soldier
who left Vietnam, Korea, Iraq (fill in
the blank) and learned when he got home
that we actually lost—or at best, tied—the
war. But, does the outcome matter? The
true outcome of a war is not who won or
who lost. It’s who gained the most. And
that is not always known immediately. The
Korean War is a perfect example.
We hear arguments frequently about
whether “we” won or lost the war. In the
case of the Korean War, South Korea
emerged as a solid world citizen regardless
of who “won.” North Korea did not. Does
that mean it lost? History suggests that it
did. But how many North Koreans will
admit that they lost the war?
Let’s face it: it’s hard for many people
to accept losing. That is true in tennis
matches, tiddlywinks contests, card games,
goldfish fighting tournaments—and war.
But, there are ties in these competitive
endeavors occasionally. Sometimes ties
are good. Again, ask the South Koreans
and some of the people who survived other
wars.
Look at World War II. There were definite
winners and losers. The U.S., Britain,
and their allies were acknowledged as winners.
The Japanese and Germans were losers.
But, were they? Look at their
economies today. They are pretty strong.
At least they are both invited to G-8 meetings.
North Korea is not. They may have
been the losers in a world war that ended
65 years ago, but they emerged victorious
in the long run—and most of the world still
has good economic and political relationships
with both countries.
Vietnam was a different story. Did anyone
actually win that war? Granted, we
pulled out early, took our toys, and went
home. Some people suggest that was the
first war we ever lost. Did we actually lose
the war, or did we simply cut our losses?
There is a difference. The war has been
over for close to forty years, and the U.S.
and Vietnam are getting along with one
We hear arguments frequently about whether
“we” won or lost the war. In the case of the
Korean War, South Korea emerged as a solid
world citizen regardless of who “won.” North Korea did not.
another economically. To be sure, the two
countries may never be as close as the U.S.
and Canada or the U.S. and Britain, but at
least we trade with one another.
Vietnam was our 38th largest goods
trading partner with $15.7 billion in total
(two ways) goods trade during 2008.
Goods exports totaled $2.8 billion; Goods
imports totaled $12.9 billion. The U.S.
goods trade deficit with Vietnam was
$10.1 billion in 2008. Vietnam was the
United States’ 50th largest goods export
market in 2008. Both countries are benefiting
from one another. So, in the final
analysis, did anyone actually lose the war?
The legacy of the war suggests that there
was no winner and no loser.
The same is true of the Korean War. The
issue of who won or who lost is moot.
Yeah, the fighting ended 56 years ago with
no clear-cut winner, and it could flare up
again at any time. But, the facts suggest
that South Korea came out of the war in
much better shape than North Korea.
South Korea’s economy is the 10th,
11th, 12th, 13th…strongest in the world,
depending on what statistics we believe.
The good people of South Korea keep
showering their allies with thanks in a variety
of ways, e.g., government-sponsored
revisits, church dinners for KWVA members,
medals bestowed on
veterans….What has North Korea done for
anyone lately—including their own people?
We have had enough time to assess the
legacies of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
We know who won and who lost without
trying to figure out who actually won and
who actually lost. That is not true in our
ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is
too early to tell who is winning or who is
losing, or if we are playing for a tie. We
will not know for eons what the true outcomes
of those wars will be.
Will the Iraqis and/or Afghanis be
thanking Americans 40 or 50 years down
the road? Or will that road still be strewn
with IEDs? Most likely none of us will be
around to find out, unless we find Ponce de
Leon’s “Fountain of Youth” in our export
and import trade with Japan. Germany,
Vietnam, South Korea, Iraq, etc. The legacy
of those wars won’t be known for
decades. But, we do know who won the
Korean War—even if some people have
their doubts about the ultimate outcome.
Hey, there were only three possible outcomes
to the wars mentioned above: win,
lose, or tie. The “good guys” did not lose.
And, the only tie involved is the close ties
between the South Koreans and the UN
troops who saved them from defeat. North
Korea’s legacy does not involve any of
them—and its economy is not exactly
robust.
Who won the Korean War? Who lost? I
am sure anyone who is reading this can
figure that out!
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2009 Annual Association Membership Meeting
The 2009 Annual Association Membership Meeting will take place with arrival on
Saturday, October 24th. Sunday, the 25th, includes the Memorial Service, Board Meeting,
Ladies Meeting and shopping. Monday, 26th will be the Membership Meeting and
Banquet.
If you wish to look over the DFW area, you may remain an extra day or two at the same
room rate. The The 2009 Convention will be held October 24-26, 2009 in Irving, TX. See
page 50 for registration information.
July - August 2009
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