We Will Never Forget

LEAVING FOR KOREA, 1950

On June 13 there was an "Appreciation Event" held at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas in honor of the American Veterans of the Korean War. This event, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War was hosted by the organization "Friends of American Veterans of the Korean War". Most of the speakers, including the MC, were Korean; most were too young to have experienced the war; all of them said how humbled and honored they were to be in the presence of the men and women of the U.S. Military who saved their nation from communism.

South Korea is a nation which has not forgotten that the United States, along with Canadian and Australian troops, fought for their freedom alongside their own military to rout the North Korean army and then to defend against the Chinese threat which poured into the conflict, 200,000 strong.
I myself have been the beneficiary of South Korea's gratitude; that government has a program called "Revisit Korea". In 1999, Ray and I flew to Seoul and from the moment we touched down, we were guests of the ROK. They put us up in a five-star hotel, furnished all our meals, hosted all our travels into the countryside. Our buses had banners reading "Korean War Veterans", and when we drove down the streets, the Korean people came to attention and saluted and waved. Our hosts were more gracious and appreciative than we could have imagined.
The Appreciation Event was a fine evening; many Korean ladies were dressed in traditional costumes. The hall was lined with young women in white suits, each with different colored collars and lapels, who bowed and said "Thank You" in Korean. There was music from the Global Symphonic Band. We sang our National Anthem and (listened to) the Korean National Anthem. General Douglas MacArthur was there, or at least someone who looked just like him and spoke eloquently about the "police action" in Korea. Each veteran in attendance was presented with a medal of honor in appreciation for their service.
The four services were recognized with their own marching songs and as the music played, "Caissons Go Rolling", "Anchors Aweigh", US Airforce Song" and the "Marine Corps Hymn", the old soldiers and marines got up and began to 'march' around the room. There was white hair and no hair; many leaned on their canes, some on walkers; some stood straight, some bent. One speaker had commented: "when you went to Korea you were young... and good looking. Tonight you are still good looking". And they were; it made me proud to see them.
In our own country, I think the Korean conflict is not well known. There are a lot of books out there from which we can learn more; I intend to do just that. But one thing I do know: the South Korean people will never forget.

VETERAN OF THE KOREAN WAR, 2010