My last update was June 23, over a month ago, while I was in Seoul, Korea. That was a very successful
visit for several reasons. To begin with, it was a pleasure to greet a good group of members, some with
wives and one with a grandson, who were on the first return visit this year. I have urged them to write
articles that we can print in The Graybeards as well as placing on the website. Again, I urge any
member who is thinking about returning to visit to do so as soon as possible - we aren’t getting any younger
and the day will suddenly arrive when we can’t travel anymore. Then it will be too late.
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Korea National Observances, 06.25.2005, Seoul: Minister Park, Yu Chul, Assemblywoman
Song Young-Sun, and
General Lee, Sang-Hoon
(Click picture for a larger view) |
We had successful visits with the Chairman of The Korea Veterans Association (KVA, Seoul) and his senior
in the government, The Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
I found the Korean people anxious because of three primary facts:
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The known slow reduction of US troops in their Nation;
- The reunification with or attack from North Korea; and,
- The future of US-ROK relations as their beloved "American GIs" age and pass away.
Thus our Korean friends are very much interested in the "youth movement" they have heard about in the
KWVA, USA. This will provide for an educated group of successors to the "old graybeards" as they pass away.
The KVA officials agreed with my proposals for post 1955 vets. One result was evident the next day when
they told me they were submitting a request to increase the 2006 Return Visit budget by a significant amount.
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President Lou Dechert and
General Leon J. LaPorte
(Click picture for a larger view) |
I also met briefly with the U.S., U.N., and Combined Commander in Korea, General Leon J. LaPorte, and
look forward to further discussions with his headquarters concerning recruiting of military personnel presently
serving in Korea to become KWVA Members.
Returning home, we were all busy getting ready for the Executive Council meeting scheduled for July 24-28,
in Arlington. The meeting was in conjunction with the annual assembly of The Gathering. This was
the twenty-first year for the group of Korea veterans and their friends to assemble in or near Washington,
renew their friendships and recollections of the founding and founder of the Association. Jack Cloman (Maryland
Chapter) and his wife Connie, are key leaders AND workers in this event each year. I appreciated the meetings
and activities of this group and commend and thank them for hosting the Executive Council as it met.
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Secretary of Veterans Affairs addressing the audience at
The Mall, July 27, 2005.
(Click picture for a larger view) |
Along with The Gathering and hundreds of others, we attended the ceremonies at The Mall on July 27th.
It was HOT!
The Executive Council addressed many items which had been neglected for too long, as well as attending
to the on-going business of the Association. We are trying to include the unapproved Minutes of the
Executive Council meeting in the Jul/Aug issue of The Graybeards as well as on this website and on
the ad hoc discussion pages. A good preparation was laid for the next meeting, October 4th, in Bossier
City/Shreveport, Louisiana, during the National Convention, October 2-5.
We said farewell to Directors Dorothy Wenzel and James Jones, and swore in Directors Bill Mac Swain (re-elected),
Warren Wiedhahn (re-elected), Robert Banker (new), Jeff Brodeur (new) and Jack Edwards (new). All previous
appointments expired at noon, July 27th. Last year’s appointments have been extended until new appointments
which will be announced after August 15th, as we get on with the business of the Association.
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National Korean Memorial Honors, June 25, 2005, Seoul
(Click picture for a larger view) |
FEDERAL CHARTER
Charley Price, the Legislative Director, had prepared a revised charter Bill several days before the Executive
Council meeting. Through timely follow-up with key staffers, over several weeks, he was able to get the
proposed bill accepted by Senator Sarbanes and Representative Hoyer, both from Maryland. The Bill was introduced
on July 27th, and we are awaiting the assignment of a number so that ALL OF OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
can begin contacting their senators and representatives on the passage of the bill.
With the
newly written Bill (PDF File) we believe that prospects for success are
better than they have been for several years. You can read the press release introducing the Bill
HERE on the KWVA Website.
Be seeing you on the road, in The Graybeards, and on www.kwva.org!
President
