Jul/Aug 2006 - Korean War Veterans Association

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If There is a 4th of July Parade, The KWVA is There Several Chapters participated in 4th of July parades across the country. Here is a sample: 150 (NORTHWEST ILLINOIS) & 272 (GREATER ROCKFORD AREA) IL CID 150 & 272 members present a strong contingent in the Rockford [IL] 4th of July Parade Eighty members of the two Chapters joined forces for the 4th of July parade in Rockford, Illinois. In addition to 272’s Color Guard, Mrs. Viola Thorne, the oldest living Gold Star Mother of the Korean War in Illinois, rode behind the color guard. Viola is 97 and will turn 98 in November. Her son Harold was killed in Korea two weeks before the cease fire. A vintage 1951 jeep carried M/Sgt Cleveland Bias, a threewar veteran who is a member of Chapter 272. Two large trailers full of members and relatives followed the jeep. Photos by Philbrick & Fay (Permission granted for use by The Graybeards only) Jack F. Philbrick 289 - MOUNTAIN EMPIRE CHAPTER (TN/VA) Chapter members took part for the third year in a row in the Kingsport (TN) 4th of July Parade. Carol Shelton Gold Star mother Viola R. Thore rides in style in the Rockford parade KSV Korner Lucinda Ford (L) and Danile Wilda (R) of CID 175 56 CID 289 members Jimmy Ball, Elster Ratliff, Mack Dunford, Bill McCoy, Joe Cody, Harold Webb, Al Ford and Commander Bob Shelton celebrate the 4th of July by marching in the Kingsport parade Young Recruits in #175 Chapter 175, Lt. Baldomero Lopez, MOH, Tampa, FL, is in the forefront when it comes to recruiting young members. Two of its members, Lucinda Ford, age 26, and Daniel Wilda, age 25, served in Korea for one year each. Lucinda is now a member of the National Guard. Daniel is now on recruiting duty. Incidentally, Lucinda is the granddaughter of Chapter 175’s President, Murdoch Ford. They may be the only grandfathergranddaughter team in the KWVA. July - August A 2006 The Graybeards
THE CYCLE By RAY (“SKIP”) STANTON First came the letter – saying “Greetings” And then came the realization I was one of many men Selected to serve our nation. Plans were canceled, arrangements made, Then off to the induction center. My mother cried, my father sighed, As into a new life I entered. Away on a train to a processing center, We traveled through daylight and dark. Arrived there on the following day We began to disembark. Noncoms strutted smartly around, Their orders sharp and gruff. We began to realize That things were to be rough. They issued us G.I. gear and clothes, Boots, mess gear, and towels, There was K.P. detail, policing the grounds, We rushed with cadres growls. Orders were issued, we grabbed our gear And climbed aboard a bus The destination a training camp, Our arrival caused no fuss. Basic training had finally begun. We learned to fire a Garand M-1. Crawled over infiltration and obstacle courses, Toting loads that would stagger horses. There were endless hours of dismounted drill, And learning to take and defend a hill. Launching rockets, tossing grenades, Marching our legs off in battalion parades. Carbine, mortar, pistol, firing, Then assault ranges, grueling, tiring, Countless days of weapons classes. Then out to crawl on rain-soaked grasses. Long hikes out to distant ranges, Then we felt the physical changes, Things went smoother, our bodies felt right, Muscles soft once, now are tight. Polish those boots, shine that buckle, Mop those floors while sergeants chuckle Nearing the end, due for a rest, Nothing left but a proficiency test. Graduation Day came next, with The chaplain reading from a text. Some general gave an R.A. talk, Before we started that last long walk. Furlough granted, just twelve days grace, Then on a train to a distant place. Spinning wheels increased the miles. Aching hearts and slipping smiles. At last the coast, from the train we slip, Spent a few days in camp, then boarded a ship, To cross the sea and give a hand And press our luck on foreign sand. Back on land solid under our feet, We grabbed our gear, walked down a street. Received a bunk, wrote a letter, Letting folks back home know things are better. The very next day we’re issued a rifle Clean it, fire it, adjust it a trifle. Orders come and time goes past. Then comes our turn to leave at last. Farewell to buddies, here comes the truck. Climb aboard and wish them luck. Endless riding toward the front, Through foul rice paddies, stunted pines. The convoy stops, we start our hike Toward distant ridges which mark our lines. Mountains high of mud and stone, Saturated now with blood and bone. Screaming shells, anguished cries, As many a G.I. falls and lies. Searing fire, seeking lead, leaving Wounded lying beside the dead. Listen as a burp gun cracks, Signaling the enemies’ new attacks. Flashing jest on bombing runs, The ceaseless thunder of artillery guns. The crashing roar of a mortar shell, Hardly noticed in this piece of hell A roaring flash, a soldier’s cry Of “Medic, Medic” rends the sky. Twisted limbs, half-choked screams, All tied in with shattered dreams. The field aid station, a change of dressing, A doctor’s curse, a chaplain’s blessing. The skies above look down and weep On wasted men in eternal sleep. A telegram, a loved one’s tears, No more waiting—no more fears. Widows made—children born, Their unknown fathers, long to mourn. Time has passed, the years have flown, Families formed, more young men grown. The cycle once again repeats, More young men walk down distant streets. They too cross the sea to lend a hand And press their luck on foreign sand. Will this cycle end? Oh, God, I pray That peace will come to our world—SOMEDAY! The writer served in Korea in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. He started writing the poem on the evening of the day the armistice was signed.—and has continued working on it many hours over the past 50+ years. 57 The Graybeards July - August A 2006
Page 2 and 3:
In loving memory of General Raymond
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4 July/August 2006 COVER: The Korea
Page 7 and 8: 40th Recon to Attend Reunion May 20
Page 9 and 10: The Editor’s Desk Art Sharp Yeste
Page 11 and 12: VA Volunteer Service The KWVA parti
Page 13 and 14: Last Call All of us in the Korean W
Page 15 and 16: Pennsylvania Honors Korean War Vets
Page 17 and 18: Placing A Wreath In Canada On 25 Ju
Page 19 and 20: Combat patrol on the battlefield Tr
Page 21 and 22: Father did not want the soldiers to
Page 23 and 24: I did eventually become an American
Page 25 and 26: 1st Sgt. Saldana reads The Graybear
Page 27 and 28: ROK soldiers (front), Pfc. Garvin,
Page 29 and 30: Whitco Middle School students assem
Page 31 and 32: egan bunching up in one big group.
Page 33 and 34: Lou Dechert pins a Korean Defense m
Page 35 and 36: The Last of the Line... The USS Cab
Page 37 and 38: Australian Korean War veteran Vince
Page 39 and 40: CID 29 members and guests at USO sh
Page 41 and 42: 99 TALL CORN [IA] We held our sprin
Page 43 and 44: Korean participants prepare to marc
Page 45 and 46: Charlestown and Coventry. After the
Page 47 and 48: It has received high praise over th
Page 49 and 50: 230 BATON ROUGE R [LA] 230 The chap
Page 51 and 52: plus other cultural/industrial faci
Page 53 and 54: DEPAR ARTMENT OF VIRGINIA Departmen
Page 55: Anyone Have A Spare Airplane Lying
Page 59 and 60: A day or two later, the troops who
Page 61 and 62: of her will be in our hearts and a
Page 63 and 64: New Memorial Proposed In New Jersey
Page 65 and 66: sure there was a road in that direc
Page 67 and 68: Official Membership Application For
Page 69 and 70: out and called back to the switchbo
Page 71 and 72: Remember The Tide Locks Explosion?
Page 73 and 74: Korean War Veterans Mini-Reunions .
Page 75 and 76: IL, Holiday Inn City Centre. POC: H
Page 77 and 78: A KWVA group on a Revisit Korea tou
Page 79 and 80: A Joyous Gathering CID 259/Departme
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Jul/Aug 2006 - Korean War Veterans Association

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