ifeieraRS J} ifoice -330,000 Korean War Veterans Strong, Statewide!

DOF KWVA, 2500 Leahy Ave, DFAS Bldg" Room 125 Official Publication of the Department ofFlorida, Inc Orlando FL 32893-1670; (407) 646-4825 ; 646-4213 (FAX) Volume II, Edition 2, September 15, 2001 (5],' Anniversary of KOREAN WAR VETERANSASSOCIATION X Corps Landing at Inchon, 15 Sep 1950)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

15 Sep Multi-Chapter Picnic in Ocala; See Chapter #016 notice inside 22 Sep POWIMIA Recognition Day @ VFW Post 10209 in Spring Hill; turf of Nature Coast Ch #174; call Pres. John McMillan 14 Oct Multi-Chapter Picnic @ Cruise Lake Park, off Rte #52 in Shady Hill. Again, Call Ch #174 Pres John McMillan 11 Nov Annual 'Car Show' @ Citrus Tower in Clennont; hosted by Chs 169 & 188; call Dept 2nd VP Joe Madeline. Jack Edwards Elected National Director Again!

DOF Requestfor KACF Expenses Borne Denied Dues Rebate Resolution & Comm. Chairman Ignored

The headline indented bank above says it all re National Reunion 200 I in Crystal City, VA. FL's Jack Edwards, Pres. of Sunshine State Ch #159, Past Dept FL Pres, was elected National Director a second time. Jack previously served 1997-2000.

The elections were the one aspect of the Reunion not tainted by the cloud hanging over the proceedings due to pending litigation, complaints about illegal, invalid, irregular Executive Board meetings of the past year, complaints of bylaws trashing & evasion, partisan rulings by the JA, repeated failures to muster quorums -(SEE President's Message)

The Crowne Pointe room rate(Special) ran $104. per nite +$4 parking = $108. Dining fare was sub-marginal and service was below that.

Besides T Gaffuey, KWV A members Kmiec, Nick& Gilpatrick of

Chs. 200 & 123 were on hand.

(SEE: ~t~ibtnt'~ iHt~~il9t)

Dept FL KWVA Executive Council Convenes in Orlando; approves Budget; Finalizes Decision on State Memorial

18 Aug 200 I, the Executive Council Dept FL met at the DFAS Building in Orlando. Fifteen of the State' s Chapters were represented by their Presidents or designees, Dept appointed officers, the National l SI Vp, 2 National Directors, and guests for a total of 41 in attendance.

Jim Sloan, legal counsel for the FDVA, spoke of the State memorial centerpiece sculpture status. The Council voted unanimously, to detach the combat boots element from the ritlelhelmet figure prior to final installation.

Phil Meskin, publisher of VETERANS POST explained the changes undergone in pricing and distribution of his product.

The DOF budget for this year was reviewed & approved The DOF bylaws, after an exhaustive 5 year overhaul and extension were distributed by DOF JA Col Jake Feaster.

In the afternoon session, objective and evaluative reports on the KWV A National Reunion were given by National 1st VP Ed Magill, National Director Ted Trousdale, newly elected National Director Jack Edwards, OOF pI VP Charley Price, Pres. Tom Gaffney

REPLACING THE COLORS - Pete McKay & Bob Reddy run up a new national banner 27 July OJ @ Mc Veigh Memorial Pk.

Cliche that it may be, we have reached a 'watershed point' in our structural and representational relationship with the National Association leadership.

Our Department leadership was present at the 2001 'National' Reunion in Crystal City, Arlington VA. I was joined at the 25 July Executive Council session by Charley Price and 'Chuck' Sterchele. A glutton for something or other, evidently, I stayed on through the General Membership meeting 26 July 2001. The highpoint of the session, to steal a line from Ed Magill, National 151 Vice-President, speaking at our Executive Council meeting Saturday 18 August 2001, was the election of Jack Edwards to the National Board of Directors.

On a linear track, I would question the definition of "General Membership". KWVA National claims a 'soft figure' strength of 16,000. Yet, at 'National' Reunions, there is difficulty raising a quorum of

100 for the 'General Membership' meeting. We saw this in Mobile '99, and again, last year in Arlington.

Six weeks ago ago, an unlogged head count was trumpeted to be 108! On insistence from a

member of the Central Long Island chapter, a sign-in pad was circulated and produced 83 names! At best, this was the number voting on changes to the bylaws (a required 213 of the quorum present)Ten minutes later, a motion to keep a Past President indefinitely suspended, yielded 57 Y, 10 N, 2 Abstaining

- Total of 69! 83 and 69 represent less than ~ of 1% of the national membership - voting on issues affecting 16,000!

Why, we had 65 at our Membership Meeting in Ocala, all signed in and accredited under the watchful eye of Sergeant-at-Arms Pete McKay.

So much for the concept of 'General Membership'! Let's discuss the descriptor 'National' as in National Reunion. What we saw in Crystal' City were mainly folks from Ohio and Maryland. Have nothing against Buckeyes - Mary was born In Akron, and old 'Deuce' buddy Joel Davis from Toledo tuned me in to the KWV A. 22 of the 32 journal ads were from Ohio Chapters, individuals, and business firms. One (1) ad from the populous state of NY; 1 apiece from CA, IL, GA, CO, TX - you get the picture!

National issues should be treated as initiatives and decided through referenda, preprinted and included on the same ballot for election of officers. As a centerfold "Graybeards" insertion, this would be a doable "quick fix" solution.

Restructuring of the national Association would minimize travel and optimize proportional representation. Back issues of "Graybeards" yield evidence that regional restructuring has been seriously considered in the past, project planning assigned to specific directors, but not addressed again since the coming of the present administration.

For this time we'll close with an observation re the number of KWV A Departments operative as of this date. Article V, DEPARTMENTS AND CHAPTERS 1. Departments, Section 1. Location states:

"Each of the United States, United States Territory (American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands), as well as a Department(s) for the nations of the United Nations Command and Korea, shall be designated as a Department upon the establishment of two or more certified chapters within said department."

Currently there are QDeparlments. Conformity w/existing bylaws mandates 29 Departments!

Next edition, we'll discuss "Resolutions", "The Rule of Law, not man", John Locke, Lord Acton

MARCEL P. KIRWAN, JR.

Marcel,Kirwan, age 70, of 474 SE Snead Circle #77 in Avon . Park, FL passed away Saturday 11 August at his residence.

He was a charter member of MOH Charette Chapter #158, and had served as Chapter First Vice President.

Born 19 August 1930 in Queens NY to Marcel and Mae (Zeluski) Kirwan, Sr. , Marcel was a retired car inspector for the Long Island Railroad.

A KWVA Ufe member, he had served with the 142nd MP Co. during the Korean War. He was a member &usher of Our lady of Grace Catholic Church, Avon Park, member of Moose Lodge #2494, Eagles #4240, VFW Post #9853, Cootie P.T. #65, American Legion Post #69, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus #5441 in Sebring, and drove for the Disabledl American Veterans.

He was survived by his wife Ann B. Kirwan of Avon Park. Services were held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church 15 August Wednesday @ 9:30 a.m.

Funeral arrangements were through Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home of Sebring Intennent was at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

VETERANS POST Publisher: Phil Meskin; (727) 822-8387

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photos; coverage of veterans' national issues; prints article & photos submitted by organizations; runs classifieds

Distribution: - limited; Pickup required for most locations. Currently, coverage concentrated West Coast and Central FL

Rates: $50 annual for chapters, posts - delivers

7000 issues to No Central FL; $15 annual for individual subscriptions

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KOREA - THE POW STORY

2,730 died while POW's; 1,600 in the tirst winter. 4,428 were repatriated, escaped or released due to extreme medical conditions. 21 refused repatriarion, II retained against their will, subsequently released. In Dec 1953, 470, known to have been POWS, had not been released. That number has been reduced to 389. Total POWs (known) is 7,579. The MIA tigure at 8,177.

Thirteen Anny chaplains died in Korea, 26 were injured in battle and a total of 567 recei ved 683 decorations. But the man whose story best sums up the glory of the Chaplain Corps and points up its vital importance as we confront another Communist enemy is Emil Joseph Kapaun. A Catholic priest from Kansas, Kapaun was captured by the Chinese Communists when he stayed behind to care tor the wounded of his 8th Cavalry Regiment. He had already proved himselfin fire so thick that once his pipe was shot out of his mouth. But noW in the bleak freezing hell of the prison camp, Chaplain Kapaun became the center of resistance to the Communists' relentless efforts to break down American integrity and persuade men to contess to crimes they never committed and convert to Communism.

An example of faith and courage

He repeatedly risked his life to steal food and medicine that kept his men alive and would regularly share his starvation ration with those who needed it more. It was easy to welcome death as an escape from days and nights of continuous suffering. But Chaplain Kapaun's fierce faith inspired his men to cling to life. The death rate in a nearby camp where conditions were no worse was IO times higher. The Chaplain was a main target of brainwashing but he resisted with such a brilliant mixture of sarcasm, logic and courage, the Chinese gave up. They did not even punish him with the kind of brutality they meted out to others who broke camp rules, when on Easter Sunday 1951, with a cross fashioned out of two crude pieces of wood and a rosary of barbed wire, he led a sunrise service.

But after six months in heatless huts, living on 450 grams of corn per day, half of which he persisted in giving away, Chaplain Kapaun's strength slowly ebbed and one grim day the Chinese guards announced they were taking him to the "hospital" - a place from which no one emerged alive. With his last strength the Chaplain urged his mcn to keep faith. made one man promise to try to repair a broken marriage. and told another, who was weeping unashamedly, "Don't take it so hard, Mike, when I get up there I'll say a prayer for all of you." A few days later he was dead.

The following year, on the anniversary ofhis death, the prisoners asked for permission to hold a memorial service for Chaplain Kapaun. the Chinese curtly refused. ". was glad they did," said 1st Lt. Ray M. Dowe, Jr. "For it told me that even though he was dead, his body lost forever in a mass grave, they were still afraid of him. He was the symbol of something they knew they could not kill - the unconquerable spirit of a free man, owing fmal allegiance only to his God."

War is a grim, desolating business. It can brutalize a nation, blunt its moral and spiritual perception. But it is hard to see how that can happen to America as long as our men go into battle accompanied by these soldiers who carry no weapon, whose purpose is not death but a deeper, more profound life. America Chaplains have proven the values they preach by living the Gospel's noblest teaching. 'Greater love than this no man hath, that he lay down his life for his friends.' By now it should be dear that their story goes beyond patriotism to dimensions ofthe spirit, we are only beginning to understand.

Ed Fenton POW 4/25/51 to 8/22/53; B555FA, 5thRCT, 24D

References:

"Korca, The Untold Story by American Ex-Prisoners of War", National Medical Research Committee, Packer #9

DPMO Pentagon Aug. 200 I

The American Legion, "September 2001 , a Salute to America"s Heroes"

President Bush Proclamation ''NATIONAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY, 2001."

Car~over sightings from Reunion 2001 Ga~~e~

Bernard Fisher & Fred Burnham Jim Chason, Lyle McNeely & Ken Smith

Levon & Dick Merrill, Reunion hostess & host

Dept QM: Murdoch Ford, Tom Sunseri

Mrs & Mr. Dept 2nd VP, Rita & Ted Trousdale & Bill Trinchitella Clarence Dadswell

Officer in the right place

(What follows is printed from' Ya-Bah-Say-O " the monthly newsletter of Central Florida Chapter #153 DeBarylDeltona, Editor Ted Sullivan)

Our Immediate Past President, Ed Kent, went into a pizza shop last month to pick up a pie. A Volusia County corrections officer, he was off duty in the Hungry Howies Restaurant in Deltona

Shortly after he left a robber ripped off the cash drawer and bolted out the door.

Ed hadn't left the parking lot. In fact he had seen the entire robbery. When the man emerged from the restaurant, Ed drew his weapon and told the man to get on the ground.

Deputies showed up a few minutes later, charged the man with robbery and took him to jail. (From lhe Orlando Sentinel, 13 April 2001)

COl-ALICE GRITSAVAGE CHAPTER #016 OF OCALA IS HOSTING A KWVA MULTI· CHAPTER PICNIC SATURDAY

I SEPTEMBER 15, 2001. THE VENUE IS MARION

CO. VETIERANS MEMORIAL PARK IN DOWNTOWN OCALA. ACTIVITIES BEGIN 1200 HRS

President Chason takes helm as Gritsavage Chapter #016 Officers Take the Oath

The event above depicts the swearing in of the 2001-2002 officers of the Col. Alice B. Gritsavage Chapter #016 at Hightowers Restau -rant, Ocala Tuesday evening 26 June 2001

From left to right: Installation officer Pres DOF Tom Gaffney, Pres Jim Chason; Bernard Fisher, 2nd VP; Ken Smith, Secretary; Col. Jake Feaster, Treasurer; BiU Lay 1 year Trustee; & Louise Chason, President Ladies' Auxiliary.

Not pictured are 1" VP Lyle McNeely, and 3 year Trustee Dick Merrill.

In the immediate center foreground ,wearing the left shoulder 24th Division 'taroleaf patch, is chaplain Bryant Wood.

South Across the Skyway - Manasota Chapter #199 Emerging!

Just one year out of the starting

blocks, Manasota Chapter #199has elected its second slate of Officers and Executive Board members, incorporated, procured a new meeting place, and started several programs in motion.

Installed by Dept FL V NVS State Coordinator Clarence Dadswell, the 2001-2002 Officers are: Bill Field President; Gurley Gene Gillette - lSI VP; Bill Gilkerson - 2nd VP; Willard Jobnson - 3,d VP; Fred WeinmanTreasurer, and Bette BowmanSecretary.

In the Spring, the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball club recognized American and Canadian veterans of the Korean War at Bradenton Stadium. In the cut to the right, Chapter #199's own color guard prepare to present colors.

( From left to right behind the Chapter banner are Bill Field, Larry Hanneken, Canadian national and longtime member ofFL KWVA Gordon Bennett ofSunshine State Ch #J 59, Bette Bowman, and Gene Gillette.

Bill Field and Gene Gillette, under arms, are at parade rest.)

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That same day, the officiaVunofficial Chapter photographer caught Chapter member Govan Kelly wi a firm, resolute grip on the National Colors during the festivities at Bill McKechnie Memorial Stadium in Bradenton.

Turning its focus to our Association-wide mission to the youth of America in "Tell America" and related programs, the Chapter shutterbug was busy again, capturing Manasota 199's participation as a co-sponsor in the 16th

Annual Manatee County Historical Fair.

In the photo to the right, we glimpse Chapter Bill Field after presentation of plaques to Rick Tokars (readers left) and Gerard

Ardoin (readers right), both middle school winners in the essay contest entitled "The History ofthe Korean War "

National Etiquette - Retiring & Replacing the Colors!

27 July 2001, DeBary FL ..... It had all come together. Joe Noto, President MOH Charette

Chapter #158, Avon Park, had called Tom Gaffney. Said that on a recent trip to see his daughter and grandkids in DeBary, he'd noticed that flying at Brian McVeigh Memorial Park on Dirksen Road in DeBary, was the "Ragged Old Flag" that inspired Johnny Cash to write that song a few, or several, years back. Joe said, ifa new one was run up, he'd be present for the ceremony.

Enter Ray Ellington, President Central

Florida Chapter #153, DeBary - his turfl One year ago on 25 June 2000, the l53 rd dedicated their own memorial stone at McVeigh. AllC Brian McVeigh,

a DeBary native was one of the victims of the Dhahran Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia. Plans were already in motion to revisit the site on 27 July, 48th

anniversary of the Korean Armistice. Invitations were sent out to Noto, and Joe

Madeline, Dept FL 2nd VP, both of whom attended. Also on hand were veterans from VFW Post #8093, US Veterans Motorcycle Club ofDeltona, Al Everson, roving contributing editor for the Deltona/Deland Beacon, Councilman George Coleman and City Manager

Folding Detail: I. to r.: Bob Reddy, Ray Wieber; Richard Diamond from DeBary, and civilians. In the rear from I. to r. Ray Ellington, Joe Noto, Joe Madeline

In photo to the right, the Honor Guard, Central Florida Chapter # 153, stands at attention, flanking the Chapter's own memorial stone honoring all veterans who served during the Korean War era.

From left to right, they are, respectivety: Bob Reddy, Sr., Chapter Secretary; G. Mildred White, Chapter 2nd VP; Ted Sullivan, Chapter 1 SI VP & Dept FL ElectionslNominations Chair; and Bob Balzer, who does everything else.

SERVICE'ABOVE & BEYOND CALL OF DUTY' left to right:- Pete McKay and Bob Reddy

Sing throughout the Land! - Freed~!tl's Holy Light

For the second successive year, The Music Ministry of Stetson Baptist Church in DeLand saluted our National Independence with a series of patriotic concerts over the four day period June 29 - July 2, 2001. The July 2nd event was billed as exclusively for the veterans community, and tum out we did!

KWV A was represented, in numbers, by Chapters 153 & 189. "Freedom's Holy Light" was arranged, orchestrated, and personally conducted by Reggie May.

This year, in addition to the color guards, the streamers, the extended range choral group, the salute to each and the several services ofthe Armed Forces, etc., we were also treated to the Liberty Voices group from Disneyworld.

Chapter 153's own Bob Balzer presenting certificate /0

music-maker Reggie May To conclude the rousing, roof-blowing

affair of patriotic musical excellence Bob Balzer of Chapter #153 presented miracle-maker May with a framed Certificate ofExcellence, emblazoned with logos of the armed forces and the KWV A, as depicted above and to the right.

June 27, 2001 Marked at Bay Pines VAMC by Me,!~llion Presentations

Through the good offices of Dr. Cho, Executive Director of the Korean American Cultural Foundation in Seoul, Korea, DOF KWV A Tom Gaffney was able to obtain additional Appreciation Medallions ofFreedom for presentation to the hospitalized and otherwise chaUenged veterans of the greater St. Petersburg area on 27 June. The ceremony took place in theCobb Room at Bay Pines 1 :30 p.m. Suncoast

Chaffer #014 co-sponsored the event with the facility's Department ofVoluntary Services.

Manasota Chapter #199 sent a delegation headed by President Bill Field.

Following the invocation by Larry McConnell, Chief of Staf( Chaplain Services, Mike Coningban, as Chief ofVoluntary Services, took over the Master of Ceremonies function. It was Mike's second time around, having emceed the 4 Feb 01 KACF spectacular at St. Petersburg Junior College in Clearwater.

Tom Gaffney was the guest speaker. The medallions were presented

by Suncoast Chapter President Sam Farina, 1st VP & Dept FL V AlVS Coordinator Clarence DadsweJJ, with the assistance of Chapter Color Guard Captain Bill Miner, Peter Venecb, and Chapter Past President Tom Carrick. AJ Ballschmidt, Bob Kunz, and Tom

-_.. Sunseri also attended the ceremonies. LEFT TO RIGHT: Rita Dadswell wlcamera (back to camera); Bill Field, Dan O'Connor, Gene Gillette wearing medallions.

Members of the 199th

receiving medallions were President Bill Field, 1 st VP Gene Gillette, and Dan O'Connor.

Pastor Kim Lee of the St. Petersburg Korean Presbyterian Church articulated fitting remarks re the relationship of our two nations, and intoned the benediction.

WELCOME - delivered by Mike Coninghan. Sam Farina seated atfar left. On right side from 1. to r. Clarence Dadswell, Reverend Kim Lee, Tom Gaffney

TROOPERS MESS: From left to right: David Hughes (covered), 7'h Cay

Featured Speaker; Standing- Howard C. May, J3 'h Signal; Lois & Bill (Stretch)

Fl KlWA ~ers Anchor pt Cav Div Reunion in Fort Hood Killeen TX

Troopers on this side of 'Fiddlers Green', dismounted in mid-June to howdy, reminisce and honor their Division, on signal from an in-force unit of Chapter 173 Mid-Florida and at-large ~A members.

On June 15 , A Korean War Era Luncheon was held at noon in the Park Hotel. The

Hungerford Past FL State Commander, 5'h Cay, 8'h Engr, ex-POW; Doris & Bob dedication of the Korean War Johnson, 5'h Cay hosts; Howard Dean, 5'h Cay Chaplain; John Hodes. 8'h Cay . Memorial came off at 3:30 p.m., Pres ofDivn Assn during the Luncheon. in memory of PFC Melvin

Brown, 8th Combat Engineers CMH (MOH) recipient (PfC Brown used his entrenching tool to split the heads of the enemy trying to climb the wall of the ' Walled City - Taegu!)

At 5:00 p.m., Bob Johnson , ~A Chapter 173 Secretary and Tom Horas, 173rd's 2nd VP were presented their Korean War Service medals (ROK) by the current Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry Division.

WITH MAJ GEN DAVID D. MCKEIRMAN (wearing camos, glasses & Gl trim), to his left, breaking bread are Gil and Mary Harris, Tom & Leona Harris

Northeast Florida Ch #200 Setting Brisk Pace in Greater Jacksonville (Tri-County) Veterans' Community

Retired CPO Rudy Meares wasn't busy enough a year ago making things happen in the DuvalClay-St. Augustine County area. Past Commander ofVFW Dist #6, active for Posts 7909 Orange Park, & 1689, he decided to take on organizing the first KWV A chapter in North Florida. A longtime life member ofKWVA, he then proceeded to do just that, setting up the unit first @ VFW Post 1988 in Green Cove Springs, Clay County and then moving to a more centralized location at VFW Post #1689, on Old St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville. In the photo above, he is pictured (center) with FDVA Director Jennifer Carroll (to his right), ret'd LCDR (USN), and Chester B. 'Chet' Smith (on left), Ret'd CPT (USN), Chief Veterans service, Mayor's Military Liaison for Jacksonville's Delaney. They were photographed outside the Jacksonville Memorial Veterans Coliseum this past Memorial Day.

Chapter #200 meets on the first Sunday ofeach month at 1 :00 p.m. and the address listing is carried in the Calendar ofEvents section of The VETERANS VOICE. Inc. The Chapter listing, of course, is also carried by Vic Houston in his monthly publication BIVOUAC.

Recently, Rudy's exploits were picked up on First Coast News, and in a Real Player spot of8111101, the staff had the following to say:

ORANGE PARK - Rudy Meares is a veteran from World War nand the Korean War. Independence Day is also his birthday. He celebrated the day with his fellow veterans at the VFW in Orange Park (post 7909). Rudy says movies like ' Saving Private Ryan' and 'Pearl Harbor' have helped to rejuvenate patriotism in this country but he doesn ' t want to leave it to Hollywood to teach kids about history. He and his fellow Korean war veterans plan to take the 'lessons of liberty' into the classrooms. Rudy currently teaches flag etiquette to groups on the First Coast

Rudy and Oscar Bentley, Chapter Historian (far left), made a presentation of the Korean Freedom Medal of Appreciation to a bed-ridden WAC, veteran of the Korean War. The venue was the Lake City V A Hospital.

The occasion was marked by the full support of the Ladies Auxiliary, VFW Post#8255, pictured!

The 5pt Anniversary of the Outbreak of the Korean War, Jurle 25,2001 was solemnized in the North Florida chapter environs by a program of remarks by President Meares, Dept FL Tom Gaffney, and Chung Park, President of the Korean Association ofNorth Florida. John

honored. The Korean War Service Medal was then awarded to some 45 veterans from the area, who had responded to advertising in the area, and came bearing their respective Form DD 214s.

LTC Lewis 'Jon' McEwen, USA (Ret), called out the names of the veterans to come forward and be honored .. Chapter 200 life member Chung Park and Korean ladies in native dress presented the medals. Chief of Veterans Service for Jacksonville Chet Smith also attended ..

The event, sponsored by Chapter 200, VFW Post #7909, and the Korean Association ofNorth Florida, took place at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Jacksonville in the Arlington area @6:00 p.rn. Afterward, a supper of Korean cuisine was served on the ministry's grounds.

Chapter 200 lSI VP 'lon' McEwen at the microphone; Pres Korean

Assn ofNorth FL Chung Park selling up with Korean lady attendants.

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The _View from Lake County Chapter 169

President Martin"Jack Gleason has issued the following appointments for the operating year 2001:

Gibson Sloan - Chaplain; Carol Becker - Historian; Ray Wilkinson - Quartermaster Arthur Dube -Assistant QM; Isaiah Hatcher - Sgt-at-Arms

Committee Chairpersons named: G. Brooks Guesman - Honor Guard; Gibson Sloan, Harold Sievers

Assistance & Aid; Ron Regan & Harold Sievers

Public Relations; William Taylor

Bylaws & Procedures Mary Lum -Membership Conley Kidd - Activities Joseph Turner - Publicity G. Brooks Guesman & Carol Bec:lrer - Budget & Finance: Paul Russell - NominationslElections

OFFICERS CALL: At the Eeesburg Senior Center, Standing I. to r. President 'Jackie' GLeason. Sgt-at-Arms Isaiah Hatcher, Dick Galya and Charles Rogers, Color Guard; and VP Harold Sievers. Sitting I. to r., Art Dube, Asst QM, Sgt Elmo, Recruiting Sgt; Mary Lum, Treasurer; Carol Becker, Historian

One appointment bears special note. President 'Jackie' Gleason has proclaimed Chapter Mascot Sgt. Elmo as the Chapter's Recruiting Sergeant. Sgt. Elmo invites all eligible Korean war Era veterans to attend a Chapter Meeting at the Leesburg Senior Citizens Center, 1211 Penn Street in Leesburg. Meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month @ 2:00 p.m. (1400 hours). Sgt Elmo will be on hand to personally greet and welcome you - bring a copy of your Form 00214. (A word ofcaution - When meeting Sgt. Elmo, do not make any reference to the fact that hs is a canine. He won't believe it anyway)

NEWS RELEASE JULY 12, 2001 from Joseph Turner, Publicity Chairman, Ch #169

Martin 'Jackie' Gleason, President Lake County Chapter #169, DOF kwva, announced the appointment of Rev. Charles E. MarceUe as the the Chapter's Chaplain.

Rev Marcelle was born in Orlando but raised in New York City's Bedford-Stuyvesant section in Brooklyn. In his youth he was an amateur boxer and a Golden Gloves championship contender.

While serving as a Sergeant with the 3ed Infantry Division in Korea, he promised God he would dedicate his life to Him if he was allowed to return home 'safe and sound' After his discharge from service, he enrolled in the Church of God Theological Seminary, Cleveland OH and on completion of his studies, was ordained. He followed in the footsteps of his father Bishop Norbert S. Marcelle ofthe Church of God.

A brother, Dr. Norbert S. Marcelle, Jr., is a pastor in West Palm Beach and also a Korean veteran.

Chaplain Marcelle is married and the father of seven daughters: Linda, a PhD and teacher of nursing; Debrah and Gwendolyn, counselors in the NYC Board of Education system and PhD candidates; Karen - a Registered Nurse; Esther an owner/operator of Day Care nursery; Edith Carolyn a sales representative, and Renee a medical secretary. Chaplain Marcelle has 18 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

At present, Pastor Marcelle is holding his church services at the Hampton Inn, Mt. Dora while plans are being made to construct a church in the Mt. Dora area. in 1985, he was cited in "Who 's Who in Religion "

Osceola Chapter #124 Shares 'spirit ofseason ' wlVeterans

Belatedly, we have come upon a feature column down Disneyworld way, that tells of how our brothers just west of Orlando shared their turn of the year holiday. We quote from an article by Barbara Olson, entitled "Good for You", from the News Gazette.

"Veterans at the St. Cloud Health Care Center were remembered over the holidays with gifts of clothing by their fellow veterans and students of a local elementary school.

The Christmas gifts were presented Dec 14 by Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 124, VFW Post 3227 and Lakeview Elementary to 40 vets at the nurSing home. The school held a two day bake sale and donated all proceeds, $615, to Chapter 124.

Bill Trinchitella and Dave Conboy of the Korean War vets chapter worked together to make lit a happy time for their comrades.

"We cannot thank Jim Scott, principal and teacher Patti Bailey enough for their hard work and generosity. They have shown they care about our veterans at this time of year when they are often forgotten, .. said Conboy.

Sgt. Charles Marcelle, Korea 1952, while assigned to the 3,d 1nfantry Division

FROM L. to R.: Principal Jim SCO/l, Teacher Palli Bailey, Dave Conboy, Joe Anderson & Bill Trinchitella

Lt. Cronan Chapter #017 Officer Makes South Florida Headlines

Recently, the Boca Raton Times and West Boca Times ran a cover story on Peter Stumberger, Past 1 st VP of Lt Cronan Chapter #017. Stumberger has been previously lauded in this publication, reference Volume 1, Edition 2, CHAPTERS' INCOMING CORRESPONDENCE, July 27, 2000.

But to return to the present, Judy Vick, a Times Staff Writer produced a prize- winning article on Peter, much of which is reprinted below:

"The package may have arrived 52 years late, but to Peter Stumberger it was a welcome sight. Inside were his Korean War Service Medal and a letter of appreciation from Kim Dae-jung, president of the Republic of Korea.. The packet came from the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, where airmen are processing requests and distributing the medal to all Korean War veterans who quality, regardless of branch of service.

Stumberger was only 18 when he voluntarily joined the US Army and was sent to Korea as part ofthe Special Forces, 82nd

Airborne out of Fort Bragg, NC. He served for 7 Y2 months on Old Baldy and Bloody Ridge as part of the Second Infantry Division, which is still there.

"The North Koreans were Jabulous tunnel diggers, who dug holes Jor their artillery", Sturn berger recalled. "We sent 200 men around back to destroy their guns. It was kind oJharried but at that age you don't realize. There were lots ojcasualties and lots ojconJusion. "

Stumberger was injured on the front lines when a mine activated, and he tried to throw it over a trench. He spent several months at Brooks Army Hospital in San Antonio TX. He had several physical setbacks. "It's a long fight back but you can't give up"

Stumberger, 67, started investigating how to get the Korean War Service Medal during the 50th

anniversary of the war. Now he's hoping that the attention paid his honor will help to get "the welldeserved medal to our men, especially those in the VA hospitals, and that they will Jeel the pride I Jelt when I received it ... to know they served with patriotic men. "

Asked his feelings about the medal, Sturn berger grins and responds, "At 67, people have a tendency not to ask you to play baseball any more. To get something you earned 52 years ago makes you Jeel pretty good. It's an opportunity to honor my comrades, it opens a door. "

Pete was recently installed as Commander of American Legion Post 277 in Boca Raton. He has

served on the Legion's Legislative Council. In 1975, he started the John J. Reddy Disabled American Veterans Chapter 133, named for an uncle who was kjlled on D-Day in Ellrope. He is concerned about how membership in some veterans groups is dwindling (Editor's note - notice the modifier 'some', as the KWVA membership in this State is increasing.)

In the July 27, 2000 article cited in the lead paragraph of this item, Chapter 017 was spotlighted for the placing of a marble bench in front of the 1997-dedicated monument, located at the Royal Palm Cemetery in Boca Raton. The monument is shown at the right. President Herb Dareff has mentioned that the hallowed spot is oft-visited by two World War II survivors, a doughboy and a bluejacket. The article related how".... Chapter Vice-President Peter Stumberger obtained proc/amotions from Gov. Bush, the Mayor ofBoca Raton, and the Commissioners ofPalm Beach County, commemorating the 5(/h anniversary.

(The inscription reads: IN MEMORY OF

ALL KOREAN WAR VETERANS They told us, "We are going to have

peace even ifwe have to fight for it" So we fought in the mountains at Heartbreak Ridge and waded ashore at Inchon.

We froze in the winter and baked in the summer. At times, we were greatly outnumbered; but we still fought on and many ofus gave our lives for

Freedom .... ./or Justice ...... andfor Peace" JUNE 25, 1950 - JULY 27, 1953)

ROSTER OF DEPARTMENT FL OFFICERS

President/Publication Editor: Thomas W. Gaffney, 624 Vespers Way, Orange City FL 32763-9233, (904) 7758803, (877) 871-2538 (FAX) gatlitetra mpinet.net

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3111 VP/SE District Chair: Joseph D. Firriolo, 2510 NE 209th

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Historian: Amelia 'Amy' Carafano, 1885 Van Allen Drive, Deltona FL 32738 (904) 532-0534 , ca rafano"a:[uno.com

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Department Founder: Emmett L. Benjamin, 106 NE 5th

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POWIMIA Liaison Officer: Ed Fenton, J 124 Holly Dr, Mount Dora FL 32757; (352) 383-8915; ~J)\", alao1.com

Director Korean Community Liaison: James Paek, Rte 2, Box 1286, Starke, FL 32091-9545; (904) 964-3594

ADMINISTRATION TERM 2001-2002

National Military Affairs Adv'r: J. WaUace Scboettelkotte, Civilian Aide to the Secretary ofthe Army, P.O. Box 3029, Winter Park FL 32789 (Lt07) 629-5786; (407) 831-4771 FAX

Capital Projects Director: Cbarles W. Maddox, 235 Sinclair Drive, Tallahassee FL 32312, (850) 222-4882; cmaddo -(d .elCClro-net.com

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Chair/OOF Nominations Committee: Tbeodore J. Sullivan, 540 Be1ltower Ave, Deltona, FL 32725, (407) 860-5350; toolsulli ·~m(ayabQO.com

Honor Guard Functions - West Coast: David W. Hanson, 2559 15 th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713-5601, (813) 328- \028; DSHans66 aaol.com

Honor Guard Functions - Southeast: Robert F. McCaffrey, 2167 Sunflower St., Port Saint Lucie 34952-4859, (561) 335-5371; Mary AMC"alaoLc.om

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Media Consultant: Robert D. J ohason, 504 Dew Drop Cove, Casselberry FL 32707, (407) 646-4825, (407) 695-1560 (FAX); rojohnC2'. cl(ii'ltunail. msn_COlll

National Service Officer: David C. Ramga" Veterans Affairs Supervisor, State of Florida, Department of Veterans' Affairs, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa FL 336.12, (813) 972-2000 ext. 6589; (813) 978-5832 (FAX)

Audiologic Service Officer: Dr. Glen McCormick, Audiologist, 410 Douglas Drive, Jupiter FL 33458, (561) 575-3400; GlcnJud\'MCCf"Q.Irecwwweb.colll

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KWVA National Director: Jack Edwards, P.O. Box 5298, Largo FL 33779-5298; (727) 582-9353; JJ .Edwards'GI,veri/.on.nt!l

http:Edwards'GI,veri/.onhttp:AMC"alaoLc.omhttp:m(ayabQO.comhttp:d.elCClro-net.comhttp:alao1.comhttp:tdsunseri't:/:cs.comhttp:rafano"a:[uno.comhttp:cJ,aoJ.comhttp:holmail.comhttp:ambovdukel'dlmsn.comhttp:mpinet.net

ROSTER OF CHAPTER PRESIDENTS, DOF, KOREAN WAR VETERANS ASS'N

Suncoast Chapter #014 Central Florida Chapter # 153 Lt. Baldomero Lopez (USMC) Sam Farina, President 14300 66th St N., Lot 307

Ray Ellington, President 1000 S. Sparkman A venue

Tampa Chapter # 175 V. E. 'Buck' Rogers, President

Clearwater, FL 33764 Orange City FL 32763 933 Burrisridge Drive (727) 535-7884 (904) 77!i-3242 Lakeland, FL 33809-0802 ssfarinalaiij.nel Eddie Lyon Chapter #015 Joe Firriolo, President 2510 NE 209th Terrace No. Miami Beach, FL 33180 (305) 931-6535 Gr,mdLa!oe2ia)aol.com Col A. Gritsavage Chapter #016 James Chason, President 24300 NE 151 st Place Salt Springs, FL 32134-6042 (352)-685-0644 Papal im6~)(til)lol.com Lt. R.E. Cronan Chapter #017 Herb Darefl', President 8223 Whispering Palm Drive Boca Raton FL 33496 (561) 487-4651 hdareIf(ulhotmail com Treasure Coast Chapter # I 06 Frederick L. Shear, President 1225 NW 21 st St, Apt 502 Stuart FL 34994 (561) 692-2442 kveLfred5 J1ilaoLcom Miami-Dade Chapter # I IO Ainslie Ferdie,Esq., President 717Ponce de Leon Blvd, S-215 Coral Gables, FL 33134-2048 (305) 445-3557 (W) lawQmC'aj~e.Det Capital City Chapter #123 Bill Jacobs, President 229 Lake Ella Drive Tallahassee, FL 32303 (850) 222-3382 k\vva(a;omail.msn.com

ledisnllivan(a~yahoo.com

FL Gulf Coast Chapter # 155 Jerome Montagnino, President 5309 SW II th A venue Cape Coral, FL 33914 (941) 549-4538 Jerom 4524ra;cs.com

Wm. Charette MOH Ch # 158 Joe Noto, President P.O. Box 845 Avon Park, FL 33825 (863) 452-6024 bwjoeJ (d,slralo net

Sunshine State Chapter # 159 Jack Edwards, President PO Box 5298 Largo FL 33779-5298 (800) 320-5262-31 11.Edwardsra,\'erizon ncl

Lake County Chapter # 169 Martin J. Gleason, President 12172 SE 96th Terr Belleview, FL 34420-5444 (352) 245-9691 wongdai 1 f{l;aol com

Mid-Florida Chapter #173 Victor J. Haas, President 114 Orion Way Sanford, FL 32792 (407) 330-9724 vrC21.529rannsn.com

(863) 858-3559 buckngeri66fO earthhnk net

South Lake County Ch. # 188 Robert 1... Beasley, President 1345 12th Street Clermont, FL 34711-2822 (352) 241-0544 klcobobal;webtv. Dct

Central FL East Coast Ch # 189 Robert M. Hawes, President 2101 Debby Place So Daytona Beach, FL 32119 (904) 788-8040 Bobnnhra!2iefool.C

From the desk of Bob Johnson, Activist Officer of the 1st Cav Division Association &

Secretary of KWVA Chapter 173 Mid-Florida

In 1996 we launched our Recollections section and included a series of letters penned to Hal and I from Ted Hofsiss. That series ended with 18 long letters. Those letters helped Ted to deal with his chronic pain from wounds. Thousands of persons had read those letters by 1999.

The book: Waiting for the Blessed Light of Dawn: A Diary of the Korean War, is a result of those "tell it like it was" letters.

Here is the recent Fort Worth Star Telegram review of this fine book:

Local veteran's book captures horror of Korean War; By Frank Perkins, Special to the Star-Telegram

Monday was the 51st anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War, a conflict that its veterans call America's first "forgotten war." But it isn't forgotten to Korean War vet Ted Bofsiss of Forestburg, Montague County. His pain from wounds is a daily reminder. Hofsiss put his experiences in a book that I believe is the truest, most accurate picture of the bitter fighting between the United States and its U.N. allies, the invading North Koreans and, the Red Chinese army.

I was commissioned five years after the 1953 Korean Armistice and read volumes of reports on the war. None matches Hofsiss' narrative for what the war was like day to day at bayonet range, where military success meant simply staying alive while keeping up a good rate of fire.

Hofsiss' book, Waiting for the Blessed Light of Dawn: sub-title A Diary of the Korean War, has n.o military jargon about "meeting engagements" or "strategic withdrawals" or "lengthened lines of supply" that dull the impact of pain, fear, want and wounds.

Hofsiss narrates what happened to him,a 19-year-old and other soldiers in King Company, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, from their arrival at Pusan, South Korea, in September 1950 until he was seriously wounded on a nameless mountain outside Chipyong-ni in North Korea six months later.

The book details his agony as he watched close friends die. They are assaulting a hill. His Browning automatic rifle jams in the middle of the assault, and he must kick the operating rod to the rear after each shot to load the next round. An enemy grenade explodes and kills the platoon sergeant and wounds the platoon leader. Hofsiss is crouching next to one of his close friends when the man is shot in the head. Seconds later, another of his friends is struck and killed in front of him.

The horror compounds the next day when he leads the company's first sergeant to the bodies of his friends only to learn that they will have to be listed as "missing in action" because they were partially stripped by the enemy during the night and their dog tags are missing.

" 'I can identify them,' I cry," Hofsiss wrote. " The sergeant turns again, putting his hands on his hips. 'No! Only an

officer can identify bodies without dog tags or other ID! '" In war, as Hofsiss learned, cruelty wears many faces, including the

faces of your leaders. Hofsiss tells of close combat in below-zero winter weather; of killing

two enemy soldiers at point-blank range - one with a .45-caliber automatic, the other with his bayonet; of kicking men awake every two hours to make sure they didn't freeze to death; of little, if any, food and one bath in six months , of ulcerated feet because of a shortage of socks; and the unending terror of nightly attacks by waves of Chinese.

He sums up that war in apithy sentence: "I think we were frightened ... by the sure knowledge that if we survived to return home, the world will never be the same for us again."

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ilqutaCllt of f1.At. iloreu 'll1It 'OetCIIQ s;w.riatioa, 'It.

2500 Leahy Ave,DFAS Bldg,R125 P.O. Box 931670

DFAS, Orlando FL 3289~1670

AMELIA 'AMY' CARAFAN01 DOF KWV A Historian, has

requested that all Chapters submit photos & accounts of their activities for the Dept's archival records. Newspaper clippings also provide excellent sources.

The historian can be reached at (904) 532-0534; Same No. for FAX. Email address is:

caroJan (a aol.com Mailing address: 1885 Van Allen Drive Deltona, FL 32738