Last week on the Pen

On August 18 I went up to Camp Bonifas at the DMZ for the memorial service for Capt Arthur G. Bonifas and 1st Lt Mark T. Barrett. It's always a good reminder of the grim event that happened in 1976 and the fact that anything can happen. During the service the two ROK soldiers, both staff sergeants, that triggered the box mines on August 4, and seriously maimed were noted by all the officials and in a personal letter that was read out loud from Mrs. Barrett. Hundreds of S. Korean villagers near the border have been injured or killed after stepping on or picking up stray mines.

Memorial Wreaths from ROK and US Veteran's Associations

Each contingency lies a white chrysanthemum  on each of the memorials

US Veterans who were at the incident

Tensions have been high up at the DMZ with S. Korea retaliation of the mine incident by blasting anti North propaganda over loud speakers on the border and the yearly ROK and US military combined exercise. A state of quasi-war was declared by North Korea upon the South. 

ROK Nightmare Range

The Live Fire Exercise at Nightmare Range was really a Live Fire exhibition with local school children, business owners and the Mothers of soldiers dressed in uniform. Music played as a narration of what was occurring out on the range. It was quite spectacular.

An interesting note: The US pulled out there participation of this event a half hour before it was to commence. But they did keep their vehicles parked.

Talks have finished up at the DMZ and the negotiations brought an apology from the North to the two ROK soldiers who were wounded from the box mines. The South with cease the loud speaker blasting of anti North propaganda and the best news that the reunions between the North and South families separated by the war will recommence. 

S. Korea Liberation Day

On Saturday, August 15, South Korea celebrated Liberation Day, commemorating it's victory over Japan. Independent Korean governments were created three years later in 1948. Kim Il-sung was made the first Premier of N. Korean and Syngman Rhee was made the first President of S. Korea.

The KATUSA Veteran's Association held a ceremony honoring Korean War Veterans on Camp Jackson. A KATUSA is a Korean Augmentation to the United States Army. They are qualified Korean soldiers that demonstrate high aptitude and are fluent in English. They are very proud of their service to their county and consider it a great honor to serve. Patriotism is high in S. Korea.

Two Veteran's from the Korean War with DCSM Spano (L) and General Martin (R) the Veteran's are survivors of the battle at Chip-yeong-ni

There was quite a bit in the news about Japan not apologizing for it's atrocities during the War, especially sensitive is the attitude regarding the 'Pleasure Women' as they were called. Young Korean women put into service for the pleasure of the Japanese soldiers. There have been contentious debates over this. Seoul's Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se has called for Tokyo to prove its vows and uphold past apologies.

S. Korea has endured. It is like a Phoenix Rising from the dust of the Korean War. People who have traveled here as little at five years ago cannot believe the truly awesome change.

N. Korea continues on with it's threats. Always when the ROK Army conducts it's yearly exercise Ulchi Freedom Garden in conjunction with the US Military and forces from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, France, New Zealand and the UK. The exercise will last 12 days.