internet journal, december 3, 2012

HooJung Jones

From: <[email protected]>Date: December-03-12 9:01 PMSubject: TURN TOWARD BUSAN PROGRAM IN KOREA - INSTALMENT 3, RECESSIONAL

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The Korean War VeteranInternet Journal, December 3, 2012

Turn Toward Busan Ceremony held at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Korea

Instalment 3

RecessionalThe tumult and the shouting dies—The Captains and the Kings depart—Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,An humble and a contrite heart.Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,Lest we forget—lest we forget!

The Turn Toward Busan ceremony ended on November 11, 2012 at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan with splendid serenades, some of the songs rousing and uplifting, by Korea’s famed Little Angels. The Little Angels organization, founded by the late Reverend Sun Myung Moon 50 years ago, each year teaches voice and dance to highly talented Korean youngsters who are fulltime resident students. They have their own academy and theatre in the heart of Seoul. During the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War years, 2010-2013, they have performed in all of the nations that supported Korea during the war. A few days before the November 11 Turn Toward Busan service they held their own Golden Anniversary performance at the Seoul Centre for the Performing Arts. The function was attended by Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister Park Sung Choon and many other dignitaries who rank high in Korean society.

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After the Turn Toward Busan service, the veterans depart. Many, probably most, will never return again to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan. Retired U.S. Army Captain Monika Stoy holds the hand of U.S. Air Force veteran James Anders, as they leave the ceremony. To her right is a famous U.S. veteran, Colonel Harvey Stewart. Colonel Stewart served in Korea in 1951 as forward fire control officer for American 8-inch howitzer “Persuader” artillery batteries. He was placed with Canada’s Royal 22e Regiment in the Battle for Hill 355 in November, 1951 and directed fire to defend both the Vingt Deux and battalions of the 7th Regiment of the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division, which were holding Hill 355. Both the Canadian and American forces were under attack night and day for four days and suffered very heavy casualties. While serving in the Vietnam War later Colonel Stewart was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, America’s second highest award for bravery, following the Congressional Medal of Honour. He wears the purple cap of the Order of the Purple Heart, having been wounded in combat. Captain Monika Stoy was the leader of eight of the American veterans, including her husband, retired Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Stoy, the son of Korean War Veteran Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Stoy. Veteran James Anders was a member of a group of veterans from Alabama that was headed by the operators of Elite Travel Company, Inc., Roger and Faye McWhorter, who paid their own expenses in order to liaise with the veterans. The American veteran revisit was under general management of James Wiedhahn of Military Tours, Washington. D.C., which has managed U.S. veteran revisits to Korea for more than 20 years.

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Before departing the United Nations Memorial Cemetery the Canadian veterans stopped at the Monument to Canadian Fallen to pay respects to their 379 comrades who are buried in the cemetery. Vince Courtenay (blue jacket) inspects the figures on the Monument to Canadian Fallen. Earlier in the day he had wiped them clean after a night of rain. He designed the monument and resided in Korea for a period of nearly three years raising funds to pay for it and a companion monument that today stands in Canada’s capital of Ottawa. He worked hand in hand with the artist, Yu Young Mun at the artist’s studio in Pochon, near the former Canadian brigade headquarters site and not far from the Demilitarized Zone. The bronze pieces were cast in an open foundry in the hills by hand by Korean artisans and laid out on the ground to cool and cure before being welded together by Mister Yu. The Ottawa version of the monument was cast in the same foundry and sent to Canada by ship. Both monuments list the names of all 516 Canadians who lost their lives in Korean War service, including the 379 who are buried in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery. One veteran who died in Canada in 2010 was buried in the UN Cemetery in April, 2012, thus bringing the number from 378 to 379.

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It was a very gray morning but the Lord granted everyone the day and the rain stopped just minutes before the Turn Toward Busan service began. Happy Canadians gather at the Monument to Canadian Fallen following the 2012 Turn Toward Busan service before leaving the cemetery. They are (left) Colonel Jacques Morneau and Madam Morneau, His Excellency David Chatterson, Canada’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Gary “Dusty” Miller, who was wounded on Hill 355 serving with Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), Donald Dalke, a retired officer who served in both World War Two and Korea and was also wounded on Hill 355 – he was awarded the Military Cross for bravery – Lieutenant Colonel (retired) John Bishop, president of the Korea Veterans Association of Canada who served in Korea with Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. To his left are two others who served with the Patricias, Donald Carmichael and Vince Courtenay. On Courtenay’s left is his good friend, the very hard working Senator Yonah Martin, the champion of Canada’s Korean War Veterans. Senator Martin has before the Senate of Canada a private bill that would proclaim by law that July 27 be observed throughout Canada as Korean War Veterans Day. Member of Parliament Blaine Calkins, who was en route to Busan when the photo was taken, will sponsor a companion bill in the Canadian House of Commons. In the front row in wheel chairs are (left) Philip Daniel, who was also wounded on Hill 355, serving as a tank commander with Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). At 88, he was the oldest veteran in the delegations

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from all seven nations. Philip Daniel had also served in World War Two. Beside him is Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) James Duncan, who served in Korea as a young officer with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps. It was Jim Duncan’s first visit to Korea since the end of the war in 1953.

Colonel Jacques Morneau, Canadiam Defence Attache and New Zealand Defence Attache Colonel Jeremy Ramsden have pleasant words with Royal New Zealand Navy veteran Paul Shephard before boarding a bus to return to the Novotel Ambassador oceanfront hotel at Busan's Haeundae beach. There they will attend a veterans welcome luncheon hosted by Honourable Park Sung Choon, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

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Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs coordinators assist veterans into the dining room at the Novotel Ambassador Hotel. Whether he needs the help or not they are both guiding U.S. veteran George Painter to the venue.

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It is not Paris but it is acceptable to Monsieur Raymond Benard and his wife Nicole Benard. The distinguished couple maintained impeccable dress and deportment throughout the five night and six day program and were a credit to their native France. Raymond served with the French Battalion during the war. He wears on his left chest the Korean Presidential Unit Citation with one cluster for a second award, and the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation, with two clusters designating three awards.

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A Britisher finds himself at table with many friendly Americans. Major Allan Cameron (Retired) at right, who served in Korea with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and is wearing poppy in his lapel is seated next to Faye McWhorter, of the Elite Travel Company of Huntsville, Alabama. To Faye McWhorter’s left is her husband, Robert McWorter. To Roger's left are American veterans.

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Senator Yonah Martin of the Canadian Senate is introduced to veterans at outset of festivities. Applauding is the host, Honourable Park Sung Choon, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and His Excellency, David Chatterson, Canada’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

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Minister Park Sung Choon begins the luncheon by making a heartfelt toast to all of the veterans and their family members and friends.

Delegates from Belgium and France respond to the toast with fine old burgundy.

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U.S. Veteran David Wesley Mills and his wife Shirley Mills join in the toast, as does Leo Demay (wearing red poppy). Leo, a Canadian, is the director of international affairs at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan.

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General Alfred M. Gray, Jr., 29th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, delivers appreciation remarks on behalf of all veterans of the United States. General Gray is the only marine in the history of the Corps to rise from the enlisted ranks to become a four star general and Commandant of the Corps. No officer in all of Korea, serving or retired, outranks him. Minister Park Sung Choon held the rank of three-star lieutenant general when he retired from the ROK Army three years ago. He had been the chief of the defence intelligence agency for the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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After the luncheon is finished, Minister Park Sung Choon presents a “Thank You” plaque to General Alfred Gray, Jr., who accepts it on behalf of all of the American veterans. All of the veterans from all of the nations later had plaques delivered to them at their hotel. All were customized to thank veterans from each specific nation. General Gray had been involved in other business in Seoul. He left Seoul to catch the red eye train to Busan at 5 a.m. Right after the luncheon he made the return trip to Seoul to participate in other functions.

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Following presentation of thank you plaques, several veterans who had not been back to Korea since the war years were invested with the Ambassador for Peace Medal. The medal was struck and is given to Korean War veterans as an official commemoration medal issued by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. Here the Minister makes the presentation to Australian veteran Geoffery Barnes, who served in Korea with the Royal Australian Regiment. Mister Barnes was accompanied by his wife, Ailsa Barnes.

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Among the veterans being invested with the Ambassador for Peace Medal was Donald Carmichael, who served in Korea with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and fought in defence of Hill 355 in 1952. On his right chest Donald Carmichael wears the Korean War Service Medal. It was presented to all servicemen in the United Nations Command by Presidential Order 1 by Republic of Korea President Rhee Syngman in 1951. The Chancellery of Honours in Canada refuses to let Canadian Korean War Veterans wear it over their left chest comingled with their Canadian issued medals. However, all veterans from the United States, New Zealand and most other nations are authorized by their governments to wear the medal along with those issued by their own nations. To Donald Carmichael’s left is Belgian veteran Roger Verbiest, who already has received the Ambassador for Peace Medal.

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U.S. veteran Robert McCall receives the Ambassador for Peace Medal from General Park Jong Wang, director general of the 8.5 million member Korean Veterans Association of the Republic of Korea. Unlike KVA associations in other countries, service in KVA Korea is obligatory for everyone who has served in the ROK forces. It is a quasi-military association, funded by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. It owns its own high rise headquarters building, bus fleets, a tour company and other enterprises that aid it in doing its work. Assisting with the medal presentation is Miss Oh Kyoung Ja, chief of the KVA Korea international affairs team.

Korea’s Little Angels perform once again at the Veterans Welcome Luncheon, putting a

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touching memory on the medal presentations and the good conversation and reminiscences of the veterans.

Minister Park Sung Choon obviously is very pleased by the performance of the Little Angels, who captured the hearts of all present.

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The Little Angels really are angels and dispersed suddenly from the stage to begin presenting sweetheart roses to all of the veterans and their family members. The charming move took everyone by surprise.

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Here veteran Andre Datcharry from France receives a kiss from one of the Little Angels who has bestowed a rose upon him. He had to beg her, but was successful and says he will treasure the moment forever.

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Even though the luncheon managers placed Turn Toward Busan initiator and coordinator Vince Courtenay - who had been the central force in the program for the past six years (two years in which he traveled to Korea at his own expense and conducted a small service in Busan when the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs did not sponsor it) in the furthest table from the podium and head table, against the back wall, further back even than the Canadian veterans delegation table - one of the Little Angels managed to find him and present him with a rose. Next to him, also banished from the main group is Julie Torrington from Australia, who accepted an Ambassador for Peace Medal for her uncle, Pilot Officer Donald Ellis of the Royal Australian Air Force, who has been listed as Missing in Action these past six decades. Veterans are used to being forgotten for their service. All of the veterans held their roses dear and departed still carrying them. Courtenay took his to Incheon after the veterans had departed Korea and gave it to his mother in law who resides in a geriatric long term care hospital. Bothering Courtenay more than being stuck in the rear of the room was lack of decorum shown in the introduction of General Alfred M. Gray, 29th commandant of the United States Marine Corps. He was introduced once during the service in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery and twice at the luncheon simply as “Mister Gray of the United States.” A very remarkable faux pas, committed three times in the same day in a land where title and rank and position are so fastidiously observed.

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Retired Army Captain Monika Stoy who was the leader for some of the American veterans joined with veteran George Painter to present Minister Park Sung Choon with a coloured sketch of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. The framed sketch was presented in commemoration of the visit of American Korean War Veterans. There was a time, when the veterans revisit programs were managed by the Korean Veterans Association of the Republic of Korea, that virtually every veterans group, including those from various cities in each nation, presented gifts to the chairman who was the host. The practice became discouraged when presentation of the many gifts began to run almost as long as the official welcome ceremony program.

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Now that’s an appreciative, heartfelt handshake! U.S. Air Force veteran James Anders has just received the Ambassador for Peace Medal from Yongjin Jeon, acting director of the international team of the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee of the Republic of Korea. Assisting him is Monika Stoy. The U.S. veteran on Jim Anders’s left has already received the medal and Colonel Harvey Stewart, on his right, will be next in line to receive one. It was the first time the three American veterans had returned to Korea since they served there more than 60 years ago. All three veterans are from Alabama.

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Leo Demay, the director of international operations for the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, receives a traditional ceremonial embrace from Canada's Senator Yonah Martin, after being presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The medal is being issued to Canadians (and to citizens in other Commonwealth nations) during 2012, the 60th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. It is awarded to those who have made a contribution to their countrymen through service to others. Though he has held his position at the UN Cemetery for the past five years, Leo is a Canadian citizen who lives in Korea. His father, Private Andre Regimbald, fell in the Korean War serving with Canada's Royal 22e Regiment, and is buried in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery.

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Leo Demay seems incredulous as he stands beside Senator Yonah Martin, wearing the medal. It was a medal very well deserved. In the two years of the past six in which the MPVA did not provide support for the Turn Toward Busan program, Leo independently did the organizing work in Busan. The initiator, Vince Courtenay, flew from Canada both times at his personal expense and participated in the services on November 11 along with dedicated ROK Veterans from Busan and a few from nearby U.S. bases. Both times Leo Demay was the emcee. Leo Demay has rendered considerable selfless service to veterans from Canada and all other nations since taking his post in 2008. Senator Martin announced in Korea that Vince Courtenay will also be receiving the medal later for various services to Canada’s veterans that span many years.

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Finally, closing the curtain on the Turn Toward Busan ceremony for 2012, but never

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forgetting those who fell, veteran Donald Dalke from Lethbridge, Alberta salutes over the grave of his radio operator who fell at his side during the November, 1951 battle of Hill 355. They had been calling artillery fire for D Company of the Royal 22e Regiment of Canada. Donald, then a lieutenant and forward artillery observation officer also was wounded. He was awarded the Military Cross for bravery. He is a veteran of both World War Two and the Korean War. With him is Colonel Jacques Morneau, the Canadian Defence Attache, and Madam Morneau. The young woman holding the flags is a volunteer university student who assisted the veterans while they were in the cemetery.

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Veteran Jim Duncan, too lame to walk very far on his own and also legally blind, is assisted by faithful MPVA personal attendant “Rocky.” Rocky is now a veteran at assisting others. He has several revisits under his belt. He stands six feet tall and weighs in at more than 200 pounds. Jim Duncan was a young lieutenant in Korea. He retired as a lieutenant colonel and holds Canada’s Order of Military Merit. While participating in the Turn Toward Busan program in Korea he met the great General Paik Sun Yup. General Paik was a young divisional commander when the Korean War began. He fought with much acclaim in the breakout from the Busan Perimeter in September, 1950 and became Chief of Staff of the ROK Army. After the war General Paik became the Republic of Korea’s first chief of the combined staffs, then Korea’s first Ambassador to Canada and to France. He wanted to swap canes with Jim Duncan. Jim needs that one to get around independently, but is looking up the carver in Canada and hopes to have one crafted for General Paik.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morningWe will remember them.

"Ils ne vieilliront pascomme nous, qui leur avons survécu.Ils ne connaîtront jamaisl'outrage ni le poids des années.Quand viendra l'heure du crépusculeet celle de l'aurore,nous nous souviendrons d'eux."

We will remember them… and that is why, as others may think of those who fell in other wars, we will turn our thoughts toward Busan where many friends were left behind and remember all who fell… we will think of them and of the Korea that was so very different so long ago, and became part of our lives forever.

We will remember them.

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internet journal, december 3, 2012

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