Anniversary--The Korean War

[bradygirl_12]

I have been observing RL anniversaries on my LJ lately, and wanted to observe this one: today is the anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War. Fifty-eight years ago, the North Koreans attached the South, and the U.N. responded for the first time in a war situation by sending troops, the majority of which were American but many other nations took part as well.

This is truly a Forgotten War: how many times have you heard people talk about World War II, then skip to Vietnam? Korea was the first 'police action' (all veterans say it with a twist of the mouth) of the Cold War era, and horrific numbers of casualties and deaths piled up in three years that nearly matched the totals of the longer Asian land war to come.

My father was on the front lines in that war, and he suffered nightmares the rest of his life about it. He personally witnessed an atrocity against a dear friend and it haunted him, and there were many other things he never fully spoke about. He reached the status of youngest First Sergeant in Korea eventually, was proud of his service, but was always wary of those who were so eager to rush into war while staying behind themselves.

So, please, take a moment or two today to remember that war, the sacrifices made, and the veterans either ignored and/or still suffering from that war so many years ago.

Thank you!

Comments

[wabbitseason.livejournal.com]

My father was one of those in-between generations. He was too young for Korea and too old for Vietnam. He does however tell the cautionary tale of going to college with the Draft looking over his shoulder.

[bradygirl_12]

My dad was 17 when he joined the Army, and he was in the Reserves for years, too. He trained as a paratrooper and would have been one of the troops sent to Dien Bien Phu in 1954, but Eisenhower felt it was a losing deal and nixed it, happily for my father as every Western soldier there was wiped out by the Vietnamese.

People now tend to forget there was a peacetime draft in the '50s and turned to a 'hot' one when involvement in Korea and Vietnam came.

The easiest way to end the war in Iraq is to push for a draft. Then you'll see people demonstrating in the streets against the war!

[stinglikeabee.livejournal.com]

Thank you for sharing. I first learnt about the Korean War from the MASH tv series, and was deeply affected by how futile the conflict was. So many lives lost *shakes head*

We should do well to remember veterans such as your father today. They can teach us so much from their bravery and their sacrifice.

[bradygirl_12]

Thank you for sharing. I first learnt about the Korean War from the MASH tv series, and was deeply affected by how futile the conflict was. So many lives lost *shakes head*

Thank you, Stars! I am grateful for the TV show, and the war would probably be completely forgotten in the national consciousness without it!

We should do well to remember veterans such as your father today. They can teach us so much from their bravery and their sacrifice.

Thank you!

[ranger-girl0301.livejournal.com]

"Funny" story--this was the last time the US officially declared war on another country.

Think about that for a moment.


Hilarious, isn't it?

[bradygirl_12]

"Funny" story--this was the last time the US officially declared war on another country.

Think about that for a moment.

Hilarious, isn't it?

Ah, who needs such Constitutional niceties, right?

[ranger-girl0301.livejournal.com]

Exactly! Sorta like that whole Geneva Convention BS.

[ilyena_sylph]

Thank you, hon.

I need to call one of my uncles. He served in Korea and Vietnam both. *closes eyes*

((Slade, and Wintergreen, say thank you, too.))

[bradygirl_12]

Thank you, hon.

I need to call one of my uncles. He served in Korea and Vietnam both. *closes eyes*

Brave man!

((Slade, and Wintergreen, say thank you, too.))

You're welcome.

[bradygirl_12]

Impressive list of service!

Unfortunately, the very fact it was classed a Police Action, and then used as the setting for a successful satire program works against it in the American public Memory.

It was also unpopular at the time as it wasn't a war like World War II where there were clear-cut victories, and a lot of the guys who fought resented being called up again after their World War II service. One example was Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox losing five years in the prime of his career to both wars. He regretted the loss of his prime playing years but was very proud of his service, especially as a fighter pilot in Korea.

We just had a Korean War Memorial dedicated in our part of the state. There have been others, but this one stands on its own for Korean War veterans.