HEALING & SUPPORT

The Korean War

From: Marilyn Koch
Colorado

“This is to honor my father, PFC George Henry Meier, Jr. L CO, 38 INF RGT, 2INF DIV, who became missing in action on February 13, 1951 at the battle at Wonju. It was not until the repatriation of the prisoners that we learned he had died at Suan Bean Prison Camp on April 21, 1951. He left behind a young wife and twin three-year-old daughters. I was so young when he left for war and I’m not sure of the memories that I have, if I actually remember, or if I just remember someone telling me things. But I have dreams about you coming around the back of our house after work and putting down your lunch pail as you pick up two little girls from a playpen and take them into the house. Mom said that’s what you did everyday in summer. Although your body has never come home to us, you will always live in our hearts. One thing I can say, I am very proud of you and I have tried to live my life to honor you. You are NOT forgotten and never will be. Thank you Daddy. I miss you and love you with all my heart. Your daughter.”

From: Ginger Farnam
Oklahoma

Raleigh Thomas Sharp, POW Korea. We went to an empty grave today to place flowers in your memory. Time has not lessened the pain of losing you. You are loved and not forgotten. Your sister Pauline Howard and niece Ginger”

From: Shauna Hunt
Hawaii

"My grandfather, Joseph Rapp, served honorably as a Major in the Army before retiring after more than 20 years of service. He never really spoke about his experiences in Korea and elsewhere; he only said that the was grateful for all that the Army had given him, and taught me that serving the country, in whatever capacity, was a worthy and honorable way to live. When he passed away last year, he and my grandmother were buried together in a very moving ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. As the only member of the family serving in the military, I was proud to attend in uniform and show my love and respect for the man who inspired me to serve something greater than myself. I hope to pass on that same inspiration to my children and thereby continue to honor my grandfather's service and memory."

From: Alice J. Smith
Kansas

"My brother, Ens. Donald A. Smith, USNR, is remembered with love. He is MIA as of 11/6/51. As Admiral Borda said at the dedication of the Korean War Memorial, God bless those who didn't come home and their families who still love them. God bless all who didn't come. They still live within our hearts."

From:  Mrs. Lucy Ray
Florida           

“…This was the first PBS Memorial Day concert I’ve watched.  Despite the fact my late father served in the Korean War up till now I confess I only thought of Memorial Day as a ‘day off of work.’  Watching the PBS showing of the Memorial Day Concert this evening has totally changed my feelings and has given me an appreciation of what the holiday really is about.  I feel ashamed that I have not honored this national holiday properly in the past, but resolve that I will do so from now on.  I realize now that Memorial Day is a day of remembrance to everyone who has served our country in the past as well as those who continue to serve it in the military now….”

From: Miriam Joanna Weir
California

"My Father, Eugene H. McCord, was a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy during the Korean War. As he was an engineer, he was in the Sea-Bees. He spoke of his fellow sailors and friends often and fondly over the years. He never referred to the hardships he must have endured, but we were always aware of the personal integrity that it took to do as he and so many thousands of his compatriots did at that time in the history of this wonderful country. I vividly recall a very favorite photograph of my Father and two of his friends while they were on R and R in Hawaii. They are laughing and smiling as only free young men with their whole lives before them can do; they are clad in hula skirts and leis with stogies hanging out of their mouths and they are dancing. They are having the time of their lives, no doubt about it. Thanks Daddy, for fighting for us, and I hope you are still laughing and dancing.

”May God bless all of you wonderful people on this Memorial Day who laughed and cried and danced for The United States of America.

The Family and friends of Eugene Hollis McCord.”

From: Mary Jo Melancon
DC

"My Uncle Frank was a veteran of Korea — -a quiet man who never spoke much about his time in the service. Frank died on 12 November 2002. Fortuitously, I had the opportunity to visit Korea two weeks later (business trip) and to tour the battlegrounds. For the first time I realized how much our soldiers had done for us and what Frank had undergone. I salute him — an unassuming man who gave his all."

From: Al Meyer
Wisconsin

"In the summer of 1950 I was assigned to CO. L, 87th inf. Regt. 10th inf. Div., Fort Riley, Kansas for basic training. While I was not sent to Korea, many of my fellow trainees were and many of them did not come home but they lost their lives in the frozen hills of Korea. I would just simply say to all of them, those that came home and those who did not, thank you for your service. They may call it the forgotten war but I shall never forget the brave men and women that served in Korea."

From: Betty Watson
Ohio

"Our friend, Sargeant 1st Class, John H McCall, Jr., is still listed as MIA, Korean War, the forgotten war. You are gone, but you will never be forgotten. We continue to pray that someday you will be able to rest here at home."

From: Dianne Weaver Henry
Georgia

"This is to honor my father, Sgt. Roger Lee Weaver, who was killed in action on February 14, l951. He left behind a young wife, a four year old daughter, and a two year old son. I was so young when you died and I'm not sure of the memories that I have, if I actually remember, or if I just remember someone telling me things about you when I was so young. But one thing I can say, I am very proud of you, and I tried to live my life to honor you. You are NOT forgotten and never will be. Thank you Daddy. I miss you and love you with all my heart. Your daughter, Dianne."

From: Ronald V. Winfield
Connecticut

"Two young enlisted men lost their lives in Korea:

William LaVorgna
PFC USMC
14 Sept. 1950
Died of Wounds

Bernard Cook
Sgt. USArmy
14 Feb. 1951
Killed in Action

”Both of these young men were from a town of 30,000 and possessed the attributes of a son that any parent would desire.

“Affable, sincere and jovial were their mainstays. God Bless them both for serving in such a fashion and representing my hometown of West Haven, Connecticut

PFC USMC
14 Sept. 1950"

From: Rosemary Endrizzi Morrison
Minnesota

"My husband, Jim Morrison came home safely from Korea in December of l953, and up until his death 2 and 1/2 years ago, we always watched the annual Memorial Concert together; a more patriotic person, than Jim, I have never met. I write this though, as a tribute to my 5 classmates from the Hurley High School in Wisc. in l949, who enlisted together, to Korea together, and died there. They were Leonard Sullivan, Ray DiUlio, Charles Baron, Jerome Misuraco, and John ‘Buddy’ Barton. They were part of the reason my husband survived that war. Today, your tribute to all our military is even more meaningful, to all and especially to me as my grandson, Michael Johnson is serving in Iraq, he is a LCpL in the Marines. Very sincerely, Rosemary Endrizzi Morrison."

REFLECTIONS

“Thank you, James, for your ultimate sacrifice you made for your country. It was your dedication as a soldier and man that helped me through that terrible year in Nam. Soldiers like you are what make our freedoms so special. I thank God for people like you and will make sure your sacrifices will never be forgotten.”

Veteran in Virginia