USTRANSCOM hosts Korean War 50th anniversary commemoration

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (USTCNS) --- More than 200 Korean War veterans flocked to U.S. Transportation Command to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the war June 28th.

Guest speaker Harry Reime, vice president of the Imjin Chapter or the Korean War Veterans Association, provided a brief history of the war --- a war often referred to as America's "Forgotten War".

Korea was fought under the auspices of the United Nations following an invasion by the North Koreans beginning in 1950.

"Korea marked the first time that the United Nations had fought a war," said Reime. Reime served in the U.S. Navy aboard destroyer USS Ault following enlistment in 1951. He was discharged in 1955 after attaining the rank of petty officer second class.

Army Lt. Gen. Daniel G. Brown, deputy commander in chief of USTRANSCOM provided opening comments.

The Korean War, said Brown, was a war that saw "nearly 1,700,000 Americans" participate from 1950 to 1953. More than 36,000 Americans died as a result of the war he added.

Though technically still in a state of war, the fighting ended in a truce in 1953 which continues to this day --- bolstered by the presence of the U.S. military on the peninsula.

A flag was presented by Brown to Russell Klein, president of the Imjim chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association, which commemorates the anniversary. It has light blue and white battle streamer and 22 stars representing the allied nations which participated in the war against North Korea.

Veterans and guests proudly sang each of the five service songs and many were brought to tears with the playing of God Bless the USA.

The veterans, mostly from southern Illinois and Missouri, gathered in USTRANSCOM's Seay Auditorium and brought stories from the war which raged on the peninsula.

"I was scared to death," said Army veteran Lowell McGee. "Looking back today I wouldn't take anything from my experience. I suppose as time goes on I can say that it was worth it, but for the longest time, I didn't think that it was. I thought we were wasting our time. I am glad I went."

His comments reflected a common thread of the patriotic commitment that many of the veterans expressed during their visit.

"I don't regret going over there. The freedom of our grandkids and our children is here today. It might have made that difference," said Robert Greer, a Marine veteran who served in the war from 1952 to 1953.

USTRANSCOM will host several more events during the 2000-2003 commemoration period. For more information, or to be added to the Korean War 50th Commemoration event newsletter list, contact Ms. Lou Terry at (618) 229-1161 or email ustcpa@hq.transcom.mil.