Our Warmest Wishes For The Holidays - Korean War Veterans ...

Letter from Rutherford Union School Student
February 11, 2007
Dear [Mr.] Bruzgis and veterans of Foreign Wars,
Thank you very much for sharing to us your experiences on the
Korean War. I really appreciated it because I learned new things
about the war. I learned things such as the helmet being very useful
in the war and also to other things. I was shocked that such a
little thing can be useful like survival in the war because you can
cook in there and everything else.
I realized how hard it is to be in a war because aside from the
fact that your life is at risk it is not very comfortable and you don’t
know what the enemy is planning like in the Korean War. I was
terrified when you told us about the battle for Seoul and I think
that they shouldn’t have terrified the Chinese because it was obvious
that they would fight back.
I was so surprised that the battle for Seoul was long and it was
just repeating because after the South got back there would be
another battle after that after finally when it ended temporarily
because no one ever knows what they are planning.
I also learned that the ship in battle was really big. I also learned
that what they eat in the war was all in one pack and I felt bad for
those eating it in the war because you have to eat it every meal.
I am also sad that until now Korea remains divided and that fear
is still in them. I also feel sorry for those in North because they
ended up like you and the others said was a mean communist.
Thank you again for sharing your experiences of the war and all
you know about the Korean War.
Sincerely,
Agnes Francisco
Jan Rose’s Letter to colleagues at other schools
I would like to share a program that has come to Union School
library (Rutherford) for the last 4 years. As part of our investigation
into finding primary sources when we research, Korean
War veterans of the Taejon Chapter 170, 73rd Tank BN., talk
with seventh grade students. They have quite a presentation.
The thank you letters that students are inspired to write to the
vets will remind you that patriotism still exists. It especially
means a great deal to the Korean students. They always stay to
talk and thank the vets.
The veterans have an act! They will be in complete uniform
and enter to a military whistle. George Bruzgis is the commander
and shows a quality 11-minute video explaining the war
historically.
Harold Dinzes served in both World War II and Korea. He is
ninety, a college student, and in medical school at the same
time. Erwin Burkett grew up in Germany during WWII and when
his parents finally got the family to the US he was drafted! When
he got off the boat in Korea he started to cry as the smell was
one he knew well: war. John DiLonardo talks about responsibility
and the importance of school. Red Casserly was a sailor and
plays taps on the harmonica in honor of our soldiers in Iraq.
Their stories are straight forward and hard hitting. They bring
artifacts, ship and tank models.
At Union School they present twice during one day (1.5 hour
presentation) to about 60 students per session in the library.
They have presented in auditoriums, but they are more effective
in an intimate environment. They only ask for a lunch in return.
We make it a great one.
They have asked me to share with you, before they get too old
to spread their story.
To contact them:
Senior Vice Commander, George Bruzgis
73rd Tank BN.
230 Legion Place
Haledon NJ 07508
973 956 8672
To contact me:
Jan Rose
School 201 438 7675
E-mail: iros@rutherfordscbools.org
Have a Mini-Reunion?
Send your photos and a short write-up to The Graybeards editor for publication!
Mail to Art Sharp, Editor, Korean War Veterans Association, 152 Sky View Drive., Rocky Hill, CT 06067
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The Graybeards November-December 2007