Outdoor Family Fun in Korea from Their Children Pages 8-10

VOLUME 4 NO.3 A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION FREE KOREA.STRIPES.COM JUNE 18 − JULY 1, 2015 TELLING THEIR STORY PAGES 2-3 On June 25, 1950, North Korean Forces advanced south across the 38th Parallel, igniting the Korean War. The United States entered the war six days later and the U.S. and ROK militaries have been committed to preserving the freedom of the Republic of Korea ever since. Through the eyes of Korean veterans, we look into an important chapter in Korean history. Photo by Staff Sgt. Heather A. Denby, 35th ADA What fathers want most Outdoor family fun in Korea from their children Pages 8-10 Special Offer to USFK only! Get 24” LG Monitor at $170 Don’t miss this chance and order now! Call Comm. Tel. 02-6959- 9828 or email Ellen Park at [email protected] PAGES 12-13 2 STRIPES KOREA A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION JUNE 18 − JULY 1, 2015 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR Max D. Lederer Jr. Publisher Lt. Col. Brian S. Choate, USAF ‘The Americans were fearless’ Commander Terry Wegner Business Operations Manager BY SSG HEATHER DENBY, the possibility of survival for Infantry Division under the military service, but as he pro- 35TH ADA Michael Davidson his family was unlikely. command of the U.S. Army. gressed through the ranks he Revenue Director Sung’s older brother was He served as a squad leader said life became much easier. n elderly Korean vet- Meg Irish an Army officer and his ser- and remembers resting the M1 In the end, life had become eran’s eyes wrinkle and Member Services Director considerably less difficult as a his voice rises and falls vice inspired Sung to serve his carbine on his shoulder as they Marie Woods A sergeant major and his country country as well. Kim joined Publishing and Media Design Director like an infantryman assaulting would march from village to the Army in Seoul village. He remembers think- was at peace. Chris Carlson the enemy as mem- and was stationed in Now, at 82 years old, Kim is Publishing and Media Design Manager ories of the Korean ing without the U.S. they all Daegu for his initial an active member of the Minis- Enrique “Rick” W. Villanueva Jr. War leave his lips. might die. Korea Area Manager training held in a try of Patriots and Veterans Af- His voice echoes “The Americans were fear- Jinsun Song middle school com- fairs – Osan branch and despite through the room less,” said Kim. “They moti- Operations Manager mandeered by the enduring more than a decade of as he ardently re- vated us by telling jokes and Ed Kelin military. arduous military service Kim Advertising and Circulation Manager calls more than reassured us with a smile even On January 4, said he is thankful for the U.S. Yoshifumi Yagisawa fifteen years of ser- under heavy enemy fire.” 1952 the Korean forces that continue to uphold Production Manager vice in the Repub- After the war, Kim contin- Army retreated to the country’s Armistice. The Maria Kato lic of Korea Army, ued to serve. He was poor and Marketing Pyeongtaek. Kim presence of American forces a service that didn’t even consider ending his Oscar Johnson recalls that they today comforts him like Publishing and Media Design Editor would begin with a didn’t even have the M1 Garand he once war now paused by Publishing and Media Design Writers Sung Kil Kim time to put on warm knew many years ago. Tetsuo Nakahara Armistice. Takahiro Takiguchi clothes Less than a de- Layout Designers for their cade after his family immi- Ayako Kamio march. Yukiyo Oda grated to China, Sung Kil Kim Yuko Okazaki Until April, they Kayoko Shimoda found himself fighting the Chi- fought in those same nese at the gates of his adopted Multimedia Consultants clothes, and then a Josh Clay Max Genao hometown of Seoul. Doug Johnson Scott Jung wave of new equipment Jason Lee Megumi Savoy Kim remembers when the and uniforms were is- Hans Simpson Chae Pang Yi Korean War broke out, they Robert Zuckerman sued courtesy of the U.S. had been living in Korea for 4 Graphic Designer Army. Kenichi Ogasawara years and he knew Seoul was His favorite improvement, not prepared for the reinforce- Sales Support the M1 Garand Carbine, would Ryoko Imahori Yoko Noro ment of troops North Korea Yuko Saito Yusuke Sato replace the old, rusted rifle he Saori Tamanaha Chae Yon Son would send streaming south- had once carried. ward. He remembers thinking Kim was assigned to the 1st korea.stripes.com/contact that the fight was hopeless and JUNE 18 − JULY 1, 2015 A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION STRIPES KOREA 3 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR Separation and reverification ith two brothers in the Lee was called to serve in the country he had sworn Korean Service Corps where Wallegiance against and he would later be assigned to his hometown transformed into 101st Division, 1-18th Regi- a battlefield, an elderly Korean ment, 2nd Battalion as an ad- man still speaks of ministrative clerk. his military ser- Lee recalls his vice as a smile first mission af- widens his face. As ter enlisting, a foot he speaks of what march of all new re- he calls the “6-25 cruits from Chang- War”, he pauses to Hoe Su Lee, a Korean War veteran, speaks with Capt. William Leasure, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade public affairs officer, at nyeong to their chat with a friend the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs – Osan branch on June 3, 2015 about serving during the Korean War. Lee served in training grounds in the military for eight years. Photo by Staff Sgt. Heather A. Denby, 35th ADA on his cell phone. Busan. The 106-km This modern con- base, K-55, concluding his ser- A reunification could lead he did. And yet, beyond the march tested the venience is some- vice after eight years and later to allowing three brothers wrinkles and gray hair, they resolve of the un- thing he could nev- retired from Geumseong Corp., separated by war to once again were still the same brothers he equipped recruits er have dreamed of now known as the multination- come together. left in Kaesong in 1950. Hoe Su Lee as they trudged 25 as he shouldered a al conglomerate LG. Lee spoke with his broth- Lee speaks of reunification rifle back in 1950. days into the bitter Now more than 60 years lat- ers in 2009 as part of the 17th and peace with a soft voice and Hoe Su Lee was the son of Korean winter. er, Lee said that he is thankful round of Republic of Korea – a subtle smile as he sits in the a successful tailor in the once He said he fondly remem- that he was young enough to re- Democratic People’s Republic Osan branch of the Ministry of quiet city of Kaesong, now part bers C-rations and the many cover from his labor-intensive of Korea family reunions but Patriots and Veterans Affairs. of North Korea. He and his four American cigarette brands he time in the service. said it was the first and now He can be found most days brothers couldn’t have gotten had never seen before. sharing a laugh with comrades into much trouble even if they “Lucky Strike and Marlboro His gratitude extends from probably the last time he would in arms and messaging friends tried. But six months after the were my favorite,” Lee said. his youth to the encouragement hear their voices unless a re- on that cell phone; a luxury Korean War broke out, Lee “The fuel packs were great for he felt watching U.S. Soldiers unification comes soon. secured through the sacrifices found himself fighting Chinese burning the brush to deter en- support his country. Lee said During the reunification, he and North Korean troops in the emy attacks as well.” that it is this continued sup- noticed his brothers spoke in a made by him and his fellow once tranquil city. After the war, Lee served as port that will see the country different dialect and held vast- veterans. Despite his family’s wealth, a radar operator at the Songtan reunite one day. ly different political views than – BY SSG HEATHER DENBY, 35TH ADA Death, tattoos, rebirth of Korea n his right forearm, an the 28th Training Regiment. elderly Korean War As war broke out, Kwon was Oveteran bears faded ink called to service in the ROK that traces the outline of an as- Army as an artilleryman. He cending phoenix. From the ash- was trained to retrieve weap- es of what was the South Korea ons that had become damaged of his youth a new Republic of during combat. He Korea rose from would later serve as the remnants of a forward observer. war and now soars He recalls his like the 4.27 mm personal struggle mortar rounds this with the realization Korean Augmentee To the U.S. Army Pfc. Ho Yeon Lee, community relations specialist assigned to the 35th Air Defense old artilleryman of his own mortal- Artillery Brigade, speaks with O Jae Kwon at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs – Osan branch on June 3, 2015 lobbed at his North to interview on Kwon’s military service during the Korean War. Kwon served in the Republic of Korea Army for four years. ity caused by a war Korean foes over Photo by Hyong Uk Kim, 35th ADA community relations brought to his coun- 60 years ago.

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