Special KWVA "W in Your Dream Vacation Fund-Raiser" Information ...

From the President
Iremind our membership
that July
4th 2009 is coming
and many Chapters
will be entering
parades to celebrate our freedoms and to
remind citizens of the role veterans have
played to safeguard those freedoms. I
have read many books that tell of the hardships
our founding fathers went through to
win our freedom on July 4, 1776. Then,
throughout history, we Americans have
had to battle those who wish to subject
their wills and beliefs on the world and
take away freedom. We have always
fought for justice. You and I must continue
to remind our citizens that “Freedom is
not free.”
I see that many of our Chapters have
been very active in our “Tell America
Project“ in schools and their communities.
Very few American history books used in
the school systems today mention much
about World Wars I & II, and they have
only a short paragraph about the Korean
War. In our case, I believe that many of us
forgot the war and got on with our lives
because when we returned home we found
that many Americans did not even realize
there was a war going on against the
spread of communism. Most were tired of
listening about war and some problems in
a far-off place that would never affect
their lives.
World War II had ended and they were
ready for peace. Even as armed forces
members we wondered what we were
doing in this far-off place shedding blood
for a country that for years had been a
slave of other nations and was now in a
civil war between the North and South
that would never affect America. I still
remember my first encounter with some of
my hometown buddies when I returned
home who asked, “Where have you
been?”
When I said Korea, their first question
was, “How come?”
When I said, “I believe I was in a war,”
their response statement was, “We didn’t
know there was a war.”
I returned to school, got married, found
a job, had kids and got on with my life just
as most of you did. I soon realized that no
one really cared what I had done in Korea,
so I never brought it up again.
I began to wonder after 40 years where
all those guys I served with were and what
had happened to them. I decided to look
for them. I found over 165 of them, started
to have reunions, and ran in to a couple
of guys who had joined KWVA in various
states and told me they were working to
raise funds for a Monument and I ought to
join and do something. I joined National
and donated funds and then started to read
books about the Korean War.
After the Cold War ended and our
Korean War Monument was dedicated, we
Korean War veterans started to become
aware that our stopping the advancement
of communism into South Korea and into
the Southeast Asian area was instrumental
in the start of communism‘s downfall.
Now we can be very proud of our accomplishments.
South Korea has prospered
with the freedom we fought and won for
them.
We need to stop using the words “The
William Mac Swain
We need to stop using the words “The Forgotten War”
and proclaim it as “A Victorious War” during our 60th
Commemorative years of 2010-2013...
THE GATHERING
Forgotten War” and proclaim it as “A
Victorious War” during our 60th
Commemorative years of 2010-2013 to
make sure that everyone knows the
Korean War was important and that it
helped safeguard America against the further
spread of communism.
A 60th Commemorative Committee is
now formed and working to get
Congressional funding. You will hear
more about this once a funding bill has
been submitted. Be prepared to write your
congressional representatives to approve
funding and then participate in this commemorative
period.
The Director’s election will be completed
by the time you receive this message
in The Graybeards, and I “Thank
You” for voting. I also send my “Thanks
to all Veterans” who participated in
Memorial Day activities. We should
always remember our fellow veterans who
are no longer with us, since we know firsthand
that their sacrifices were noble.
William Mac Swain,
KWVA President
n 25th Annual Reunion, “Korean War Veterans Friendship Gathering.“ 24-28 July, 2009,
Crystal City, Arlington, VA.
n National Board of Directors meets on 25 July.
For information, and to be included on the mailing list, contact Jack Cloman at connienjack@msn.com,
or call (410) 676-1388, or by fax to (410) 676-3898.
2009 Annual Association Membership Meeting
The 2009 Annual Association Membership Meeting will take place with arrival on
Saturday, October 24th. Sunday, the 25th, includes the Memorial Service, Board Meeting,
Ladies Meeting and shopping. Monday, 26th will be the Membership Meeting and
Banquet.
If you wish to look over the DFW area, you may remain an extra day or two at the same
room rate. The Registration and other information is in this issue and will also be published
in the July-August isue of The Graybeards. Plan now to attend.
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The Graybeards
May – June 2009