BUT does anyone remember that 1.8 million US soldiers fought a three year war in Korea right after WWII ended?  I bet 80% of our fine youth don't even know that in June, 1950 we fought a war against the North Koreans and the Chinese.  I even wonder whether those kids watching reruns of M.A.S.H. realize that the show is taking place in Korea. 

 

I guess I get perturbed because the lack of recognition (at least from where I sit, which happens to be the swing on my front porch in Norwood, Ohio) seems to minimize the sacrifices that our soldiers made over there.  I know that when I went into the service following WWII, I thought I was going into a peace time army.  But half way through my basic, the Korean War broke out and I was soon on my way to hell.  Scared out of my wits, I couldn't believe the numbers of humans that they threw against us.  It was like they didn't value their own lives! 

 

Well, Korea gave me a different perspective on life.  It was the first time the Army was integrated.  Over 100,000 African Americans served in that integrated army, and many were among the almost 34,000 that never made it back home.  Korea changed my opinion on so many things. 

 

So my fellow Korean War Vets, let's give ourselves a round of applause. Let's congratulate ourselves for surviving to make it home, and let's remember our friends that didn't.

 

That's my two cents.  What's yours?

The Old Curmudgeon