Download - Korean War Veterans Association

South
Korea to
Welcome
Returning
Heroes
By Vincent Krepps
This outline will show you what the
U.S. Korea 2000 Foundation experienced
through my eyes and ears
on our December 1998 trip to South
Korea. This was my first return to the
Land of the Morning Calm since late
January 1951. In the Maryland Chapter
newsletter, I have in the past shown many
photos, cultures, past events and
improvements of South Korea today. I
have also published many current revisit
trips by KWVA members in the
Graybeards.
Writing and reading that material did
not bring to me the excitement and the
emotions I had every day after arriving at
Kimpo International Airport. Each morning
I awoke full of enthusiasm of the
events taking place that day. As I recall
those events I will expand on as much
detail as possible hoping I can convey to
you what is awaiting your return.
Intermingled in this outline will be
selected photos that will show you the
high level of planning by those involved
from the U.S. and South Korea that want
nothing but the best to honor the veterans
of the Korean War when they remember
your sacrifices and deeds in saving a
country from Communism. They remembered
and in the years ahead up to and
including 2003 you will have renewed
pride in saying “I am a Korean War
Veteran.”
First I will list those all that were
involved in various meetings from Korea
2000 Foundation to DoD, Veterans
Associations, Command Forces Korea,
USO, South Korean Government and
their Veteran Associations.
United States
U. S. Korea 2000 Foundation
General Raymond G. Davis, USMC,
(Ret). MOH Co-Chairman
Lieutenant General William R.
Maloney
USMC (Ret) President
Col. Warren H. Wiedhahn, USMC
(Ret) Executive Director
Mr. John Y. Lee, Counselor
Mr. Vincent A. Krepps, Editor, “The
Graybeards” KWVA, and 2000 Member
Mr. Sunny Park, Member
Ms. Bonnie Gray, Executive Assistant
50th Anniversary Comm. DoD
General (Ret.) Gordon R. Sullivan,
President and Chief Operating
Officer, AUSA)
Lieutenant General Russell C. Davis,
Chief, National Guard Bureau
Major General Paul C. Bergson,
Military Deputy (Reserve Component)
Colonel George P. Coan, Chief,
Commemorations Committee
LTC Mark Franklin, Operations
Officer, Commemorations Committee
LTC Alldredge, O/C, 50th AKWC,
Sec. USFK, Seoul
Mr. Milton Peterson, USFK
50th AKWC
Captain Pete Kemp, Action Officer,
National Guard Bureau
LTC Sova
Maj Bartle.
General Davis and MG Chang, Tae-Wan, President, KVA.
Veterans Affairs
Mr. Allen “Gunner” Kent, Special
Assistant of Veteran Affairs
Veterans of Foreign War
Mr. John Smart, Senior Vice
Commander
Mr. John F. Gwizdek, Junior
Vice Comm.
Korea
United States Forces Korea
Gen John H. Tilelli, Jr. USA (CINC)
Major General Michael V. Hayden,
USAFDeputy Chief of Staff
LtCol. Fred Whittle, USMC - Escort
Maj. John Sullivan, USMC - Escort
President of South Korea
President Kim, Dae-Jung
Minister of Patriot and Veteran
Affairs
The Honorable Kim, Eui-Jae
South Korea Military Forces
LtGen (R) Chai, Ki-duk
BGen (R) Park, Jung-soo
KVA 2000 Project Commission
Gen (R) Paik, Sun Yup, Chairman
Maj Gen (R) Kim, Dong Ho
Chief Executive Officer
Korea Veterans Asociation
MG (R) Chang, Tae Wan, President
KVA
MG (R) Kim, Dong Ho, CEO, KVA
USO - Korea
Mrs. Joyce Kiser, Director and Staff
Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders
(Visitors)
Page 20
The Graybeards