| Over 400 Korean War Veteran's names in the | | | | the scripture passage: "If you want to live without |
| U.S. were drawn from as many as 5700 | | | | being afraid of authority, you must live honestly |
| applications to attend the 50th Anniversary | | | | and authority may even honor you." Rom 13:3 |
| Commemoration of the signing of the Armistice, | | | | Later, we took a Shilla Hotel bus to the Itaewon |
| July 27, 1953 in Panmunjom, Korea. My husband | | | | Shopping District, where they would accept |
| Doyle was one of them. They could take any | | | | American money. We ate at a 'Subway' |
| guest they wanted but would be required to pay | | | | restaurant, just like back home. At other locations |
| the guest airfare. All other expenses would be | | | | on that street you could find McDonald's, KFC, |
| covered in Korea. This event was sponsored by | | | | Burger King and OutBack Steak House. We |
| the Federation of Korean Industries (businessmen) | | | | treated ourselves to a Baskin Robbins Ice Cream |
| who planned tours for about 1,000 veterans and | | | | treat while sitting in front of a shop and watching |
| guests (worldwide) representing the 21 countries | | | | people and traffic. While I was in the Ice Cream |
| whose veterans served in Korea from 1950-'53. | | | | store, Doyle was approached by a Jehovah |
| Doyle and I(wife)boarded American airlines in | | | | Witness. That really surprised us. |
| Kansas City for a flight to Chicago's O'Hare | | | | We arrived back at the Hotel in time to dress for |
| Airport on July 23rd, 2003 where we transferred | | | | the 'Blue House' tour. This was not on our agenda. |
| to an International 14-hr non-stop flight aboard a | | | | The First Lady of Korea, Kwon Yang-sook had |
| Korean Air 747 to Seoul, Korea. The sun never | | | | invited the Veterans to meet with her. Before this |
| went down as we flew Northwest over Canada | | | | could happen, three were Secret-Servicemen |
| and Alaska, the Arctic Ocean and the tip of | | | | boarding the bus to check all passsports with the |
| Russia, then down over the Sea of Japan before | | | | list of names they had been given. After attaching |
| turning westward to Seoul. | | | | a special sticker to each of our nametags, we had |
| Our reservations were at the Shilla Hotel, one of | | | | a Police Escort to the Blue House (same as the |
| "the most luxurious hotels in the world," they had | | | | White House here). After all of the security...as we |
| advertised. In the year 676 the Korean peninsula | | | | approached the Presidential compound, our tour |
| was united in one kingdom, called the Shilla. This | | | | guide, Stephanie, got a call on her cell phone that |
| Shilla dynasty is present with its tradition and | | | | the First Lady could not meet with us because of |
| sophistication in the ambiance of service rendered | | | | an emergency. |
| at the Shilla Hotel. Quite opulent for us country | | | | Our bus was allowed to tour the compound and |
| folks, but most certainly enjoyable! | | | | the First Lady waved from the Portico above the |
| The first event Friday morning was held at the | | | | steps. She made arrangements with the Tour |
| National Cemetery in Seoul. This included a | | | | Guides to present us a gift....a Korean fan with the |
| wreath-laying ceremony honoring all who died in | | | | Presidential seal emblazoned upon it. Next we |
| the Korean War. Following this we were taken by | | | | were taken to the Statue of the 'Phoenix' on the |
| bus to the War Memorial Museum. In the entrance | | | | grounds where a building houses the President's |
| hall are large plaques with all the names of those | | | | International gifts. the 'Phoenix Fountain' aptly |
| who perished during the war. The U.S. names | | | | symbolizes the rising of Korea economically out of |
| were posted by states, making it easy to find the | | | | the ashes of WAR. Nearby we could see |
| hometown soldiers(Owen Evans, Ralph Auten, | | | | protestors with signs. Stephanie said the protests |
| Ivan Groom and Charles McDougal) whose lives | | | | had to do with a railroad project some place in |
| ended in that war. | | | | the city. |
| Friday evening we were guests at a banquet | | | | The Farewell Banquet Monday evening was |
| sponsored by the USO at the Hotel Grand Hyatt. | | | | hosted by the Federation of Korean Industries |
| There were long banners draped around the Hall | | | | (who sponsored the trips and event). It was held |
| that displayed the patch of every military unit | | | | at the Crystal Ballroom, Lotte Hotel, where some |
| that fought in Korea. Doyle served with the 2nd | | | | of the Korean War Veterans stayed. |
| Indianhead Division, which still maintains troops at | | | | Entertainment was by a trio of young women |
| Camp Red Cloud, Korea. | | | | violin players accompanied by piano. They played |
| Former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, who | | | | 'Amazing Grace' and 'The Star-Spangled Banner.' |
| was the U.S. representative to the | | | | All U.S. Veterans stood in unison and sang Our |
| Commemoration ceremonies, was featured | | | | National Anthem facing our flag which was |
| speaker this night. Entertainment was provided by | | | | included in the parade of 21 flags across the |
| Korean Tenor Lim Hyung Joo, who had just | | | | stage. There were quite a few eyes brimming |
| returned home from an engagement at Carnegie | | | | over after this show of patriotism to our most |
| Hall, USA. He sang a beautiful arrangement of | | | | gracious hosts. A clarinet soloist also had tears on |
| 'Ave Maria' and every one present was given a | | | | his cheek while playing a special arrangement |
| CD of his music to take home. All of the veterans | | | | dedicated to the fallen heroes. (Maybe his father |
| were presented a bound 'Certificate of | | | | or grandfather was one of them?) |
| Ambassodor for Peace' signed by General Lee | | | | General Leon LaPorte, the Commander of all U.S. |
| SangHoon, Retired from the Republic of Korea | | | | Forces in the Republic of Korea (ROK) gave an |
| (ROK) Army. A representative from each of the | | | | Address. He was interviewed July 27, the day |
| 21 countries was presented the UN Peace Medal | | | | before, and that News article may be read at |
| and each veteran in attendance was presented a | | | | usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/arms/03072811.htm. |
| Medal on a ribbon by a member of the ROK | | | | He spoke to us about the presence of the |
| Retired Veterans Organization. | | | | ROK-US alliance in Korea which has enabled them |
| In the center of the Hall was a lone table setting | | | | to 'enjoy tremendous prosperity as the 13th |
| with wine glasses inverted and empty chairs | | | | largest economy in the World.' Gen LaPorte |
| signifying that the 'fallen comrades' would not be | | | | stated that $2 was spent on this commemoration |
| joining us at this commemorative event. A red | | | | event. |
| rose in a glass vase was a reminder of their | | | | Addresses were given by the Chairman of the |
| selfless sacrifice. a soldier played 'Amazing Grace' | | | | Federation of Korean Industries and also by the |
| on bagpipes as he walked between the tables for | | | | Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade, both |
| that solemn remembrance. | | | | attesting to the growing economy and giving |
| Saturday morning, our tour went to the Seoul | | | | credit to the soldiers who fought alongside their |
| Tower, which is located on a hill in the center of | | | | ROK forces. |
| this city of 11 million people. The Tower has a 360 | | | | A special Address was given by Koren War |
| degree observation deck and a revolving | | | | Veteran Rodolpho Hernendez, Medal of Honor |
| restaurant. It boasts a height of 777 ft and can | | | | recipient from the U.S. Army. He gave a |
| be reached by vehicle, bus or cable car. This was | | | | wonderful witness to God intervening in his life |
| a perfect vantage point from which to view the | | | | three times in Korea---the last time all of his unit |
| Economic Development of Seoul in the past 50 | | | | were killed and he too, was put in a body bag. But |
| years. Doyle remembers going through Seoul in | | | | he moved a finger or hand and someone saw the |
| 1950 when it was eerie because the Capital and | | | | bag move. He was taken out and moved to a |
| two other buildings were virtually all that remained | | | | MASH unit,where his long miraculous recovery |
| standing from the see-saw back and forth of | | | | began. After being shot and bayonetted , yet he |
| Chinese/South Kerean claims upon the city. | | | | lives, telling others his story, while counseling |
| Today there are two tunnels (one nearly a mile | | | | newer War Veterans of today. There are 20 |
| long) through the hill the Tower sits upon. They | | | | living Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean |
| are still building high-rise buildings aggressively and | | | | War, 52 from WWII and 65 from the Viet Nam |
| credit the Korean War Veterans for their | | | | war. |
| porsperity and freedom. The feeling is 'If these | | | | Medal of Honor recipients are the real heroes of |
| veterans had not fought beside ROK soldiers we | | | | this age--going beyond the call of duty to 'make a |
| would be under the control of North Korea today.' | | | | difference' in the circumstances in which they find |
| Following lunch at a restaurant of Korean Cuisine, I | | | | themselves. They have all exhibited great courage |
| heard a guitar playing "Peace is Flowing Like a | | | | and superiority, often thinking of others' danger |
| River" outside the door as we left. We arrived at | | | | when they were gravely wounded themselves. |
| the Korean Folk Village, which is a replica of life in | | | | To read their stories, you may find them at |
| the countryside many years ago. A small Korean | | | | homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/index0.html. |
| boy demonstrated how the A-frame was used to | | | | Charles Richard Long of Independence, MO, the |
| haul loads on their backs....this was a human waste | | | | Forward Observer for Doyle's Mortar Platoon, |
| jar that would be dumped in the rice paddies for | | | | may be found on this Memorial Hall web page. |
| fertilizer. Our veterans remember this A-frame | | | | The Long family donated their hero's Medal of |
| and the many uses it fulfilled. At the 'Village' we | | | | Honor (which was awarded posthumously for the |
| saw large kilns under thatched roofs where the | | | | 'Massacre Valley' battle near Hoengsong/Wonju |
| beautiful 'Celedon' pottery is still made by hand | | | | area) to the Truman Library in Independence, MO. |
| today. | | | | It had rained for two days and when we left the |
| Saturday evening, we were the guests of an | | | | Lotte Hotel that night we got soaked as our |
| Outdoor Barbeque at Lombardy Field, the | | | | busses could not get close enough for us all to |
| American Army Post. This was hosted by the | | | | board. We wished we could bring that rain back to |
| Pacific Area VFW of the U.S., The Optimist Clubs | | | | Northwest Missouri where we were in a drought |
| Int'l, Overseas Military Sales Organization, | | | | area in the Midwest. |
| American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, Korea | | | | On the way to Korea, everything was well |
| Sports Officials Assoc., Korea Chapter of AUSA, | | | | organized, special check-in lines for the Korean |
| United Air Lines and Sargeants Major Assoc. at | | | | War Veterans at Baggage or Immigration and |
| Yongson Army Base on the edge of Seoul. A | | | | Customs counters. At Chicago's O'Hare Airport |
| few selected veterans were invited to the U.S. | | | | we were met by Doyle's Army buddy, Art |
| Embassy and missed the Barbeque. | | | | Gagnon, who drove us to the International |
| Guests were greeted by officers in the chow line | | | | Terminal from American Airlines. Our baggage |
| and presented 50th Anniversary Medallions from | | | | went from Kansas City to Korea. The Tour |
| the VFW and a Peace medallion from the United | | | | busses met us at Inchon Airport and a special |
| Nations Command. By 'Special Invitation' veterans | | | | envoy of Army, Navy and Marines helped the |
| were granted entrance to this event. | | | | Veterans get their packets of material and their |
| Sunday morning July 27, all veterans and guests | | | | luggage on the right bus. We are still amazed at |
| departed for Panmunjom and the DMZ for the | | | | the amount of preparation and planning that an |
| Armistice Signing Commemoration. There was a | | | | effort this large entailed. |
| reception and tour where you could walk around | | | | Leaving Korea, our tour guide escorted us to the |
| a table and be in North Korea. Surprisingly, they | | | | Inchon Airport, where again we had a special line, |
| did allow picture-taking. | | | | to get checked in with our luggage. Then we |
| The next stop on the Sunday Agenda was The | | | | were on our own coming back. We had to claim |
| World Peace Day Ceremony at the War Museum. | | | | our baggage at O'Hare in Chicago and find the |
| Security was extra tight as the President of | | | | American Airlines terminal by ourselves. We lost a |
| Korea was also attending. They made me turn on | | | | carry-on bag when we were claiming our other |
| the camcorder to prove it actually was a camera. | | | | luggage. |
| Doyle had to remove his boots, just like at the | | | | The Airport Security put a woman on our case. I |
| airport. The dress was formal for this event. Our | | | | went to the Rest Room while the intercom was |
| evening speaker was the President of the | | | | saying 'All unattended baggage will be turned over |
| Republic of Korea, Roh Moo-hyun. Part of the | | | | to the Chicago Police Dept.' I thought we'd never |
| affair was the unveiling of a new Korean War | | | | see that case again. However, within about 40 |
| Monument at the Museum. It rained on their whole | | | | minutes, the lady came with our bag! We were so |
| 'parade,' but they had furnished all the guests with | | | | overjoyed we both gave her a big hug and |
| a plastic poncho in our bag of mementos, so we | | | | thanked her. We were happy we still had an hour |
| didn't get too wet. (We had been encouraged to | | | | before catching our next plane home. |
| bring umbrellas three weeks prior to the trip.) | | | | We waited again (on board) because an Iranian |
| After the official ceremony, a banquet was | | | | couple's little boy was sick. They made five of |
| hosted by the Republic of Korea in the restaurant | | | | them get off the plane to protect the rest of the |
| on the Museum grounds. The rain subsided and | | | | passengers. We wondered what was going on |
| piles of pink and green ponchos could be seen | | | | with so many authorities coming on the plane to |
| where they were dropped upon entering the | | | | talk to these people? |
| restaurant. On our way back to our hotel, one of | | | | Finally we arrived at Kansas City International |
| our veterans led us in singing "God Bless America" | | | | Airport. Neither of us had flown anywhere in 50 |
| on the bus. My eyes were not dry during this | | | | years, so it was with a bit of apprehension that |
| unexpected burst of American pride. | | | | we had gotten on the plane in Kansas City a |
| Monday was a sort of 'free' day. Doyle and I | | | | week earlier. But,that's when we finally believed |
| spent time at the Yongson Army Base talking | | | | we were actually going on this trip. Doyle had |
| with people at the Protocol building and visiting the | | | | never won anything before and said this trip to |
| PX by the special privilege that all Korean War | | | | Korea would be the highlight of his whole life. |
| Veterans had been granted. Korean people were | | | | We are deeply appreciative of the generous |
| so friendly,always bowing and thanking the | | | | opportunity afforded war veterans to return to |
| veterans for their freedom, but even the officers | | | | Korea by the thoughtfulness of the Federation of |
| on the Post would stop to shake a veteran's hand | | | | Korean Industries. We shall forever be thankful to |
| or sit with us in a fast-food place and thank my | | | | them for the experience of a most wonderful |
| husband for serving in our military.. It was quite | | | | journey to the 'Land of Morning Calm.' It will surely |
| humbling to be treated with so much respect, | | | | help to calm the disturbing war memories of |
| when many hadn't gotten that from their home | | | | many Korean War Veterans. |
| towns when the war ended. I just reflected on | | | | |