The Graybeards – KWVA - Korean War Veterans Association

Listen Up
Official KWVA Notices and Announcements
KWVA Members;
I must tell you the distinct honor of being
allowed to serve you as your National First
Vice President almost overwhelmed me.
You have inspired me to great heights and I
know with your support I can not fail. This
year we enter into an era of change. Change
is not for the sake of change, but rather
change that is necessary for the Good of the
Order.
We must take advantage of those tools
which will enable us to be more professional
and allow us to streamline our operations
and therefore help our members. Sometimes
we allow ourselves to operate in a comfort
zone, an attitude which resists change and in
so doing we invite failure. We can not afford
that. Considering these thoughts, I now challenge
each of you to support those you have
elected. Remember, through the democratic
process of majority rule, you elected those
officers. It is now your solemn duty to support
them. I will not bore you with membership
and how vital it is to KWVA survival.
However, just think, if each one of our
members recruited just one member this
year, and we could you know, we would be
the largest Korean War Veterans organization
in U. S. “What a thought.” Our veterans
rights would be enhanced and we would
truly be Veterans helping Veterans. “Let’s
have a great year!” I invite all of you to join
me in the challenges which the next year
promises, especially in the area of increased
awareness of our image and involvement in
the community. At times, the effort expended
may seem a bit overwhelming, but I
assure you the reward will compensate.
There will be times when criticism and a
Membership Number
First two letters reflect
membership type
Check Your Mailing Label
*************************************************5 Digit
RO12345 01/01/03 *4
JOHN J. JOHN 320
12345 MAIN ST
SMILEY NY 01234-5678
DELIVERY POINT BARCODE
seeming lack of support may tend to veer us
away from our goals. However, we were
elected to our positions because our members
believe in our abilities and dedication
and we must not disappoint them. It is our
leadership which must demonstrate a
“Thumbs Up” positive attitude, an attitude
which spells success.
I invite you to put a true effort into our
activities in the community in which we
live. I ask you to cross the racial and ethnic
lines which sometimes limit our thoughts
and activities. I ask you to especially involve
your chapter membership in the volunteerism
program which encompasses the
“Mentor Program.” While membership
must always be of the up most importance, I
am convinced true involvement in the community
will be richly rewarding and will
provide us with the vehicle to success in our
membership enhancement. Let us do the
things we need to do. Let us enjoy doing
these things in team effort, involving the
total membership. Let us forget to criticize
and remember to help.
Here, in KWVA, we are a breed apart.
Here, when the challenge is presented to us,
we as a team will demonstrate to all
Americans that we indeed have “Courage
Under Fire”. “Then, Now and Always”.
Jack Edwards
Membership Chairman,
Chapter Formation
David MacDonald
KWVA Membership Committee
Sam Naomi
KWVA Membership Committee
[See addresses on page 2]
Membership Dues Expiration Date. The example
shows a dues date of January 1st, 2002
Check your name and address ( Apt./Bldg/Lot No.). Notify the Membership
Chairman if you find an error. If your zip code does not contain 9 digits
(zip+4), your address is not correct according to the USPS. Contact your local
Post Office for proper format.
Important: If
barcode does not
extend across
full label, your
zip code does
not have 9 digits
and your address
is not correct
according to the
USPS. Contact
your local Post
Office for proper
format.
Book Review
Hills Of Sacrifice
By Michael Slater
About the Author
Malcolm Calhau who was KIA on 23
March 1951 leading 1st Squad, 1st
Platoon, Fox Company, 5th RCT up Hill
814 in the ROK. Slater has interviewed
numerous veterans ranging from riflemen
to battalion commanders.
Slater is a graduate of The Citadel
and American Military University. His
passion in life is visiting WWII and
Korean War era battlefields.
The Book
This is a moving account of a premier
Army unit during one of the Nation’s
most costly, yet least remembered, wars.
Battle action is seen through the eyes of
the men who endured those horrors.
The 5th Regimental Combat Team
was unique in many respects. Not only
was it the last U.S. occupation force to
depart peaceful Korea in 1949, it was
among the earliest elements to return to
that war torn country within the year.
Moreover, the Hawaiian regiment was
proud of its unusually diverse cultural
and ethnic blend. As a separate RCT, the
5th was assigned, over the course of the
war, to the majority of Divisions in the
US Eighth Army. It fought with the 1st
Cavalry, 1st Provisional Marine
Brigade, 3rd, 24th, 25th, 40th, and 45th
Infantry Divisions. Woven into this saga
is the fateful journey of a young soldier
from Hawaii and the agony of the family
who lost a son defending the liberty
of a people he knew not.
The 5th RCT stands in the annals of
military history among America’s most
storied regiments such as the 442nd Go
For Broke, 27th Wolfhounds and the 5th
Marines.
Illustrated with hundreds of photographs,
many of them by the acclaimed
combat photographer, A1 Chang. Also
includes a comprehensive list of unit
casualties and an index.
Foreword written by LTGEN Alpha
Bowser, G-3, 1st Marine Division,
Korea 1950-1951.
Continued on page 52
September/October, 2002 Page 9