Members and Friends...
Those of us who attended the 2004 Convention in Knoxville had the opportunity of hearing Mr. Eugene Chin Yu,
a Korean-born American, speak of the great love which he holds for America and for Korean War Veterans in
particular. At the Convention Mr. Yu presented over 100 Freedom Medallions to those attending who were qualified
and who had never received the award.
On Saturday, December 4th, Mr. Yu and his family—with the help of others—presented another gift of love to
veterans of the Korean War and all Americans. It was an honor for me to join many other members in representing
our organization at the ceremony as the Korea War Monument was dedicated in Augusta, GA. As I noted in my
remarks, “Eugene Yu has placed medals around our necks for over four years, now, creating monuments to our
sacrifices in our hearts. Today we have the opportunity of creating a monument of stone which will endure and
tell others of the Korean War and the Americans who fought there for the price of Freedom.”
A press release of the dedication prepared by Associate Member Judith Knight and others of KWVA Chapter 255
is reprinted here. A more complete account will be in the January-February Graybeards.
Korean-Born American Honors KW Veterans
Eugene Chin Yu was born in Korea at exactly 8:00 p.m., July 27, 1953, as the armistice that would bring a
degree of peace to the “Land of the morning calm” was being signed. He is well-known in the Republic of Korea
as “Freedom Boy” because of the significance of the date of his birth.
Yu and his Korean-born wife, Joni, are proud of their heritage but they are also proud of being what Yu
calls “flag-waving American citizens”.
The Yus have a profound gratitude for the American veterans who defended the Republic of Korea from the
invading North Koreans and Chinese and ushered in decades of peace and prosperity to their homeland.
Residents of Augusta, Georgia for more than thirty years and the successful owners of Commercial Military
Systems, Inc., the Yus sought an opportunity to thank the veterans of the Korean War and to assure them that
they would always be remembered.
To that end, Chin Yu has traveled to many cities around the country at his own expense and has presented
Freedom Medallions to over 30,000 of those veterans.
On Saturday, December 4, 2004, the Yu’s unveiled a beautiful Korean War monument in Augusta, Georgia, which
is a memorial to those sons of the Central Savannah River Area of Georgia and South Carolina, who paid the
ultimate price or who were prisoners of war or are missing in action. Those 85 names as well as the names of
those who were presented the Distinguished Service Cross are forever engraved on the granite monument.
The $119,000 monument is a gift from the Yu’s and family friend, Lawrence B. Berenson of New York City.
Keynote speakers at the event, which was attended by hundreds, included MG John E. Hoover, USA, Ret., MG.
Nels Running, USAF, Ret., National KWVA President Lou Dechert, and COL. Jeffrey G. Smith, US Army, Ft. Gordon,
GA.
Guests and participants also included representatives from the Netherlands, The Republic of Korea, Canada
and the Republic of China.
Several members of the SGT. Harold F. Adkison Chapter 255 of the KWVA served as the Memorial Committee from
the inception of the plan to erect a monument, and worked diligently with Chin Yu to bring that plan to its
eagerly awaited completion.
(Click picture for a larger view) |
Lou, Judith Knight, Walt Laban,
Al Silvano, Charley Price
(Click picture for a larger view) |
MG. Nels Running, USAF., Ret and Lois Arnold, Associate member
of chapter 255
(Click picture for a larger view) |
KWVA Chapter 255 member,
Arthur C. Dudley (DSC) and wife
(Click picture for a larger view) |
Following the dedication of the memorial, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Chin Yu invited 200 honorees and guests
to a catered meal. Shown here are Lawrence "JoJo" Doolittle, Chapter 255 President with wife Carolyn and
Chapter Secretary/Treasurer,
C. Clyde Hooks and wife, Coralee, enjoying the meal.
(Click picture for a larger view) |
During the ceremony I introduced Al Silvano as Chairman of the Ethics and Grievance Committee, and Colonel
Charley Price as my Chief of Staff, an ex officio position. Charley will continue his duty as Acting Judge
Advocate, VSO, and Legislative Director. AL Silvano is the Immediate Past National Commander, Military Order of
the Purple Heart.
Finally, today, I want to
extend my personal greetings to the Korean Veterans of America, and their Commander, Jeff Brodeur, as they hold
their Christmas Party, December 12. Jeff and I will be making an important announcement in the near future. The
November-December Graybeards will provide more details.
May the days of mankind’s joy and celebration for which December is noted bring every good thing for you and
for your loved ones.
