May 01, 2005

Wars are won by many little things done across a broad front, inch by inch; not by majestic plans from heaven OR higher headquarters that never get done.

LTD

Members, Friends, and Veterans...

Anyone following the battles of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM - or any other battle, in any other war, knows - or should know if they are a veteran - that wars are won by boots on the ground, often in spite of the plans produced thousands of miles away in the Department of Defense (US). I recently stated that truth like this: Wars are won by many little things done across a broad front, inch by inch; not by majestic plans from heaven OR higher headquarters that never get done.

I believe that this is very much the truth of how the good things of the KWVA get done even while a very, very few (like in any unit) can only complain and second guess. That is the difference between the bare-sleeved and one-stripers and all the others in military units - and the difference either between advancing the good of the Order - or just talking, in veterans organizations.

All across the KWVA in late March and in April, members, chapters and departments have been making a difference for veterans.

• Local memorials were planned, started, or completed.
• Old friends were honored with a final salute.
• The Nations best veterans magazine devoted to the heritage of establishing and maintaining freedom in Korea, delivered another great edition.
• Nine members began the process of campaigning for your votes (for four of them) for Directors.
• Thirteen members were selected for Nobel Peacekeeping honors, and thousands of others became qualified.
• Close, continuous personal liaison was established between the President and the Executive Director of the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation.
• Resolutions were prepared and delivered on a great variety of topics, most notably a resolution by the US Federation of Korea Veterans Organizations supporting the award of the Medal of Honor to Chaplain (Father) Emil Kapaun, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, captured with his units in North Korea, November 1950, and who died a prisoner in May 1951.
• Chapters 299 (KVA) and 79 (CLAIR GOODBLOOD) initiated legislation in the Maine Legislature, LD1148, to allow special license plates with the KDSM (Korea Defense Service Medal) insignia; overwhelming favorable response.
• President of the KWVA requested ROK Defense attaché to seek ways in which the ROK Service Medal might be awarded to veterans who have been awarded the US KDSM.
• KWVA was represented at three national events - two of them in The Congress.
• The first shipment of The Graybeards arrived in unit dayrooms in Korea.
• Countless more visits ("hits") on www.kwva.org - now the world standard and world class website for Korea veterans - and the only one carrying important news items for Korea today as they happen.
• The process of incorporation of some 230 members from the Korea Veterans of America into the KWVA began.
• New alternative insignia began making its way among members.
• Charters were awarded to four chapters - and counting; 219 new members were welcomed into the KWVA, and membership stands at an all-time high.
• 2005 Convention materials were mailed to each chapter, and registrations began coming in.
• An invigorated Executive Council Team moved to improve the overall good of the Order.
• A dynamic Recruiting Task Force (RTF) - directed by the Executive Council - was appointed and rapidly began collecting information and planning for immediate projects to initiate recruiting as a priority in the KWVA.
• The Department of Texas had a well-attended meeting in Arlington, TX.
• The RTF initiated the preparation of decals which will be inserted in every Graybeards as soon as completed - or mailed to every member.
• The National Commander, American Legion, added his help in the KWVA campaign for a Federal Charter.
• The Membership Records Management Team continued to fill in the sometimes great gaps in member, chapter, and department records at the national level, and rapidly provided answers to all requests for information.
• Three pages of The Graybeards May-Jun edition was made available to Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation.
• The National Office began the move into its new location, Building 1119, Camp Beauregard, Louisiana National Guard, Pineville, Louisiana. There was a "before" picture of the new office in the March 1 President's update. (Click HERE to view).

The office project is clean, shining, and waiting for utilization. The "after" pictures below show the sparse beginnings; donations to help furnish the office will be gladly accepted (mail to Treasurer, Richard Hare).  Title to all non-expendable furnishings and fixtures will be the KWVA and the property will be available to turn over to the next administration when the time arrives.

Great days to be in the KWVA, Friends. Not many organizations can say with such assurance, "Our best days are yet to be – the future is wide-open!"

Be seeing you on the road, in The Graybeards, and on www.kwva.org!

President

P.S. The May-June issue of The Graybeards will be the "Convention Issue." Don’t miss it.
P.P.S. The candidates for the Directors election are getting busy. See and listen to them all, as often as you can, then vote in May.  (Click HERE to Meet the Candidates!)
     Lou