Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

ecause you actually had to be in Korea to get the plates,” he says. “If
you have soldiers who served during this time who weren’t actually
in Korea then they wouldn’t be eligible.”
The plates feature the Korean Defense Service medal to the left of
the plate letters and numbers. The words “Korean Defense Service”
are written across the bottom.
Work on passing the license plates in the Minnesota Legislature
began in January when the 2010 legislative session started. Steen had
hoped to have the plates approved a year earlier, but it was too late in
the 2009 session to bring the bill forward.
However, early in the 2010 session Vickerman introduced the bill
on the Senate floor. He recalls a chilly reception from fellow senators
when he discussed introducing the bill.
“I was told that the state didn’t need another license plate and that
most legislators would say, ‘No,’ “ Vickerman recalls. “But I said
that if I get it on the senate floor, they won’t vote against it.
“I said, ‘I’m going to bring it and I’m going to get it passed.’
You’ve just got to put your mind to it and do it!”
Vickerman’s experience in the legislature helped in getting the bill
passed. Ultimately, it was approved as part of a much larger transportation
bill.
Meanwhile, Rep. Rod Hamilton of Mt. Lake introduced the bill in
the Minnesota House.
Steen was at the State Capitol in May when Gov. Tim Pawlenty
signed the plates into law. After the bill was signed, Pawlenty began
asking questions of the veterans who served in post-war Korea. Steen
and a couple of other veterans who were on hand for the signing
shared stories of their service in Korea. Some of the stories were revelations
to Pawlenty.
“There was some sincerity we could see with Governor
Pawlenty,” Steen said.
Steen believed the plates are a way of recognizing veterans who
served in post-war Korea. Even though it was “peace time” in Korea
when Steen served in 1961 and ’62, he was among soldiers who saw
more than peace-keeping duty.
“I was under machine gun fire when there was a coup to overthrow
the government from the 16th to the 21st of May (1961),”
Steen said, noting that Pawlenty was surprised that he had never read
about such post-war action.
“I told the governor that there are so many things — firefights and
what have you — that have never been published.”
However, their service is not forgotten and is visibly remembered
through license plates of which a Cottonwood County man played a
big part.
This article and photos are published with the permission of the
Cottonwood County Citizen, Windom, MN.
Vermilion County IL declares July a month
of commemoration
Paul Steen displays Minnesota Korean Defense Service plate
61
The Graybeards
September – October 2010