The Graybeards - KWVA - Korean War Veterans Association

Update
Korea Revisit
By Warren Wiedhahn Chairman, KWVA Revisit Program,
Pusan - Inchon - Seoul - “Chosin” 1950
Dear fellow veterans:
I have just returned from a very successful 50th Anniversary
Commemoration of the “Northern Winter Campaigns” of 1950 in
Seoul, Korea. Both the 8th Army in the West and X Corps in the East
were remembered and commemorated by both the United States
Forces Korea (USFK) and The Republic of Korea (ROK) forces. The
US Guest of Honor was General Raymond G. Davis, USMC (Ret)
who was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery in the “Chosin”
(Changjin) Reservoir campaign in December, 1950. (General Davis
is also the Honorary Life President of KWVA.) Chaplain Walter
Hiskett, Chaplain Corps, U.S. Navy (Ret) was another invited guest
. Chaplain Hiskett was an enlisted “grunt” during the “Chosin” campaign
who, after the war, went on to graduate from college and join
the Navy as a Chaplain. His talks were very inspiring when you consider
where he came from and what he did in later life.
General Davis and I had an opportunity to personally call on the
President of the Korean Veterans Association, General Lee, Sang
Hoon, ROKA (Ret), while in Seoul. As you know, this is the association
that administers the entire ROK government “Revisit Korea”
program. You will be very happy to hear that LTC Lee, Jong Bong,
ROKA (Ret), who administrators the program for General Lee, has
confirmed that the Revisit quotas for 2001 through 2003 will be
increased. They will appear in our quota assignments in January or
February next year.
Consequently, if you are not already signed up for a future quota
you should fill out your application and return it to us as soon as possible.
As the administer of the Revisit Quotas for the US Korean War
Veterans Association (KWVA) our President, Harley Coon, has
directed that the quotas be issued on a strict “first come first served”
basis. (Registration application found elsewhere in this magazine.)
General Davis and I also met with Dr. Paul T. Chung, President of
the Korea Council of the Navy League while in Seoul. This council
also sponsors subsidized tours to Korea “regardless of service” and
we will explore with them in depth on whether its possible for
KWVA to get some of their quotas for our veterans. The object is
simple - get as many veterans to Korea as possible during the next
three years. Where the quotas come from or who administers them is
really of no consequence! You will be advised in this space if we are
successful in subsequent issues of The Graybeards Magazine, the
Official Publication of The Korean War Veterans Association.
Finally, you will also see elsewhere in the magazine the 2001,
50th Anniversary Commemorative tours sponsored by Military
Historical Tours. (MHT) Please be reminded that these are not official
“Revisit Korea” tours and may or may not coincide with the
KVA sponsored tours. These MHT commemorative tours are set up
to coincide with various battles and events as requested by various
individuals and/or associations who want to return to Korea during
the time that they served “in country”! Since MHT administers both
programs - you may, should you choose to do so, transfer your
“Revisit” quota deposit to one of these tours. Obviously, there is a
difference in cost since they are not subsidized by the Korean
Government. However, many want to travel with their “foxhole”
buddies and this is the way to do it. Regardless of which way you
travel to Korea - you will be awarded the Ambassador for Peace
Medal by KVA Seoul and feasted and honored by the Commanding
General, US. Forces Korea.
In conclusion, I want to remind all veterans of the Northern
Campaigns of 1950, that General Davis continues to poke, prod,
encourage and demand our Right of Return to the northern battle
areas where so many of our fallen buddies still lie buried. He is making
significant progress and it is beginning to appear that these
returns could start as early as next summer. We have started a list of
those that have the time, health, desire and resources to accompany
us through Beijing, China. Please call MHT at 703-212-0695 if you
are interested.
My sincere regards,
Warren H. Wiedhahn
KWVA Revisit coordinator
GRAYBEARDS DEADLINES
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.
Jan-Feb, 2001............Jan 12 Jul-Aug, 2001 ........July 14
Mar-Apr, 2001 ..........Mar 9 Sep-Oct, 2001 ........Sep 12
May-June, 2001 ........May 12 Nov-Dec, 2001 ......Nov 9
We print on a first-come-first-served basis. We also have a
backlog.– Editor.
Thanks for Supporting The Graybeards
Many members have responded to the suggestion to temporarily
help underwrite the cost of publication of The Graybeards by making
voluntary contributions. This issue is still being printed considering
cost restraints and due to change of printer and mailer we have
been able to continue to reduce the cost per issue and also try to
upgrade your newsletter.
Your heartening response has made this step possible. Hopefully
we will be able to restore our newsletter to a higher quality with other
desired changes in subsequent issues. Members please continue to
respond by sending your contribution to Editor KWVA, or Treasurer
KWVA marked: Support of Graybeards. Every donation will be
recognized in the magazine. Those that do not respond for any reason
are still valued members, for your dues also contribute to the printing
of our newsletter.
Names listed came from those wishing to support KWVA by
donations for: The Graybeards, “Looking For,” “Reunions,” and “In
Memory of.” At the time of publication the following names of
donors and “Memorials” have been reported to The Graybeards and
are listed as follows:
Members & Friends
Banker, C.
Bergeron, P.
Brazinski, F.
Cranston, W.
Crise, J. G.
Easterly, W.
Enos, R.
Gillespie, J.
Griffth, R.C.
Huff, J.
Marinchek, J.
Peters, R.
Rutledge, J.
Sanchez, M.
Short, T.
Slanda, R.
Sullivan, T.
Vanderhave, N.
Organizations:
Northwest Ohio Chapter
KWVA Chapter #1 of Conn.
USS Essex CV/CVA/CVS-9,
LHD-2 Inc.
In Memory of:
Capt. Frank E. Miller, Jr.
USAF KIA 5-27-53
(By J. G. Crise)
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The Graybeards