The Graybeards - KWVA - Korean War Veterans Association

Editor’s Pen
My devotion and efforts to provide
you, the membership and readers a
magazine that remembers the Korean War,
those that fought in that war, including
those that still defend the freedoms
enjoyed today in Korea and most of all to
those that paid the supreme sacrifice.
Below was my statement made in 1997.
No one had a complaint then.
Rules to follow:
I will avoid letters that are negative
toward our association and the veterans
that fought in the Korean War. Thanks for
caring.
Vince Krepps
I am in my 6th year, so I guess you
agreed with the above rule. It is very hard
to say goodbye to something or someone
you love. I have been honored to tell the
history of the Korean War with your stories
and even some of mine. I have done
my best to print most but I know some
have been omitted due to length, unreadable,
newspaper stories and a host of other
reasons. The photos and other sections
printed or not printed follows the same
guidelines explained above.
I am very proud of your events and
efforts to Tell America in your home states
provided to me by thousands of photos
and text. Your Memorials in your states
makes all Korean War Veterans proud and
all are beautiful. No Service Medal will
ever be above the deeds you have all done
to remember the fallen or those that
served. Many times in reading your letters,
stories and the Taps list has required
me to get very emotional but it was more
important to get your messages out to others.
Lastly I thank each of you for the support
you have given me over the years and
in some way I hope you know my heart
has a place for all of you.
Vincent A. Krepps (Korea, 2nd I.D. 1950-1951)
GRAYBEARDS DEADLINES
After this issue (July-August 2004)
most everything that I have done over the
past 6 years plus hopefully will be the
same.
The commitments I have made to
advanced copies orders and advertisers
will be filled. The new editor and publisher
has also agreed to keep this promise.
I do not know the commitments
beyond expired contracts as of this date.
You must read the Sept-Oct issue for
additional commitments by the new editor.
Please do not mail or e-mail any more
articles, advertisements or photos to me.
What is left over will be mailed to the
new editor. The address of the editor is:
Arthur G. Sharp
152 Sky View Dr.
Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Tel: (860) 563-6149 email:
Sharp_arthur_g@sbcglobal.net
Thanks for being such great members
and veterans. Thank you for the donations
over the years. They are still needed will
be turned over to the Treasurer. I am sure
the new team will keep The Graybeards at
a high quality. My last honor is to my
twin brother Richard who is still in North
Korea at the POW Camp where he died.
His memory has also given me the
strength to spend long hours telling
America about all our deeds to keep a
country free. It has been 53 years this
September since we hugged on the battle
field near the Naktong River and said our
goodbyes. Who knew it would be our last
time. Freedom was not Free.
God Bless all of you and America,
Vincent Krepps, Past Editor
The Graybeards.
Articles to be published in the Graybeards must be sent to the editor no later then the
second week of the first month of that issue. Example: Sept-Oct 2004 articles must be
received by editor no later then Sept 10. Material is printed on a first-come-first-served
basis. —Editor.
Sept-Oct 2004 ..................Sept 10 Jan-Feb 2005 ..........Jan 14
Nov-Dec 2004....................Nov 12 Mar-Apr 2005 ........Apr 12
Mulrine’s
Minutemen
By Manuel A. De Matos
THE WARRIOR, Volume VI Number 70 KORE-
AN EDITION July 1952; Newspaper of the 2nd
Inf. Division
“Mulrines Minutemen,” a
special section of 20 volunteers
attached to the 9th Infantry
Regiment., 2nd Infantry
Division, specializes in aggressive
reconnaissance.
Led by 1st Lt. William A. Mulrine, the
Minutemen have spent most of their time
since organizing early in March, training
for their behind-enemy-line chores and
straining at the bit.
They’ve also been out on three full
scale missions, the latest one producing
what Indianhead Division intelligence
men referred to as “the most complete
reconnaissance report we’ve seen since
the Division went on line.”
“I’am completely sold on this bunch.”
says the Lieutenant, “You can’t beat
them. Teamwork is their by-word.
Everybody is looking out for everybody
else. When one man gets hit, no matter
how slightly, there’s a man with him
immediately.
The love of
excitement and
desire to be part
of a close knit
team encouraged
the unit’s two
squad leaders to
volunteer.
A veteran of 14
years in the infantry
and paratroopers,
serving in the Pacific
during World War II,
Lt. Mulrine says, “I
don’t like to sit still.
It’s fun trying to outwit
the other guy.”
The love of excitement
and desire to be
part of a close knit team encouraged the
unit’s two squad leaders to volunteer.
Thirty-four year old SFC Alexander Arick
and M/Sgt, Harrel Baxter, both prefer the
group to any other with which they have
ever worked.
One night in April the Minutemen penetrated
2400 meters behind Red lines,
This time, the enemy discovered them
and two members of the patrol were
Continued on page 19
July/August, 2004 Page 9