Several things have occurred since the previous issue of The Graybeards appeared that should be of interest
to all KWVA members:
- a reception that was held on May 3rd at the Korean Ambassador Ho-Young Ahn’s residence, the Embassy
of Korea in Washington DC.
- the dedication of a monument honoring “The Chosen Few” at Quantico Marine Base, Virginia. (See the
picture on our front cover)
- the outcome of the KWVA elections.
Let’s take them one at a time.
A new organization surfaces
You may be surprised to learn that the purpose of that aforementioned reception was to announce formally
the startup of a new Veterans Service Organization, the “Korean Defense Veterans Association.” This has
been in the making for several years, but only recently have the organizers completed many of the necessary
steps leading to announcing formally the organization’s activation.
Although the new VSO is only getting started, it was stated at the reception that they have bylaws and
a website is currently under construction. Additionally, they have enthusiastic support from South Korea.
Also providing important support and ground level involvement are retired U.S. Army Generals Sharp and Champoux
and ROK General (ret.) Shin.
One of the stated purposes stressed in the several speeches was to strengthen the alliance between the
USA and the Republic of South Korea. At this particular time the importance of that alliance looms large.
To be honest, there are those among us in the KWVA who see this new organization, the KDVA, as a threat
to our continued existence. The KDVA’s eligible members pool will be drawn from much the same pool of eligible
members as the KWVA.
It is wholly understandable to take that view. However, if you’ve been watching our membership you must
be aware that our numbers are in free fall. This, of course, is attributable mainly to members passing away
and the reluctance of those eligible to become new members, regardless of various proactive recruiting efforts
on our part.
The Korean War Veterans Association has six stated missions:
- Defend our Nation
- Care for our Veterans
- Perpetuate our Legacy
- Remember our Missing and Fallen
- Maintain our Memorial
- Support a free Korea
How long will our “ascending-in-age” members be able or willing to carry out those six missions? I don’t
doubt that many of you are currently doing an outstanding job of it. That is confirmed with every issue
of The Graybeards. But, what will that picture look like five or ten years from now?
I’m sure you see the point I’m making: there needs to be a younger veterans organization to pick up where
we leave off. It is my belief that the KDVA needed to be started and will be the VSO of the future to carry
on the mission that we started. So, rather than being a threat to the KWVA, I view them as a complementary
organization that will become stronger with time.
I apologize if that sounds like defeatism with regard to KWVA. I prefer to think of it as being realistic.
On a high note, we recently gained a regular member from the ranks of KATUSAs, Mr. Jong Song. I hope this
will be the first of many to join our ranks.
I’ve asked Mr. Song to provide me with some background information about himself. I will pass that along
to you in the next issue of The Graybeards.
The Chosen Few Monument
Here’s a brief overview of the ceremony dedicating the Chosin Few monument at Quantico, VA Marine Base.
The ceremony on May 4th started promptly at 1400. The venue was a brand new, very impressive auditorium
on the base. Master of Ceremonies duty was performed quite capably by Lt.Gen. Stephen Olmsted, USMC (ret.).
USMC Lt. Gen. Richard Carey (ret.) told of his experiences in the battle at the Chosin Reservoir. He also
recognized those who played important roles in the planning and building of the monument.
Other speakers included Ambassador Ho-Young Ahn and General Joseph Dunford, Jr., Chairman of U.S. Joint
Chiefs of Staff. As stated in the program, “The heroism, dedication and sacrifice of the Chosin Few is now
addressed in the Monument. We can now be assured that we will not be forgotten. So on behalf of those dedicated
warriors of this battle who gave it all and we who gave as much as we could … from the bottom of our hearts.
THANK YOU AND SEMPER FIDELIS”
The Chosin Few Warriors
Election Results
KWVA election results are now public knowledge. Four seats on the Board of Directors were to be filled.
Two existing directors won re-election, Tom McHugh and L. Timothy Whitmore. Two new directors will be coming
onto the Board, Wilfred E. Lack and Eddie L. Bell, Sr. All are outstanding individuals. I offer my congratulations
to the winners and look forward to working with each.
Memorial Day Parade
By the time you receive the May-June edition of The Graybeards, Memorial Day will be in the past for
this year. Your KWVA was well represented in the parade on May 29th in Washington DC. At this writing there
are 35 Korean War veterans who have signed up to participate in the parade.
In addition to the parade, a Memorial Day ceremony was held at our Memorial at 5 p.m. I hope you were
able to attend this ceremony or one at an appropriate venue near you. It is a time to remember the fallen
in all wars. I will share with you my first Memorial Day experiences as your KWVA president in the next
issue.
Tom Stevens, President
Korean War Veterans Association, Inc. (KWVA/US)