Mission life: THE KUKMIN DAILY

“We saved Korea with our blood as comrades… Astonished by Korea’s development”

2015-07-31 15:36

On July 28 a group of former United Nations troops who participated in the Korean War visited the Joint Security Area (JSA) in Panmunjom, their first time in more than 60 years, and looked into the northern part of the country, where once they had pointed their guns.

Martinez Hannery (85· United States) said, “Because we fought, sweated and shed blood, we’ve always missed Korea… I still remember the ruins vividly, and now I feel happy to visit this country, which has made astonishing economic development.” Among the visitors was Benjamin E. Forney, the great-grandson of Colonel Edward H. Forney of the U.S. Marines, who led the evacuation of 100,000 refugees in Heungnam during the Korean War.

This group of 40 retired soldiers in their 80s and their family members entered Korea on July 25 and visited Panmunjom on the invitation of Sae Eden Church (Rev. So Gang-seok). This is the ninth year that the church has invited former soldiers who fought in the Korean War, held a service of thanks, and prayed for friendship between Korea and the U.S. and for peace on the Korean peninsula.


[Mr. David Velasco (70, United States) looks over into North Korea as he ponders on his missing brother Frank. On the back of his T-shirt is a photo of Frank Velasco. David Velasco said, “Before he left for Korea, my brother gave me a ring inscribed ‘SGT Frank A Velasco USA 02 DEC 50, Korea.’ Later, I heard that his troops made it to somewhere in North Korea. If he’s alive, he would be 85 this year. I feel as if he may be living somewhere in Korea. Help me at least find his grave.”]

Reporter Yeong Dae Yoo (ydyoo@kmib.co.kr), from Panmunjom
Photo by senior reporter Kang Min Seok, from Panmunjom, with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)


Click here for the full story in Korean

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