A Gathering
I am posting early today, as we have places to go and people to see. Once a year, Dennis’ fellow Korean Veterans host a banquet with their annual meeting in Mankato. The chapter that Dennis belongs to is called the Frozen Chosen and they meet monthly for noon lunch with a short business meeting. There is a variety of ages of men and women who attend: Dennis went to Korea when he was 18. The summer events in the area that have parades, more than welcome their float that these fellows have put together to honor the time they spent in Korea fighting the good fight.
The sad part of recalling the years that our fellows served in Korea, it has never been called the Korean War. It has always been referred to as a “Police Action.” The powers that be have been little shysters – then as well as now.
Memories and remains of Korea. A time that
often is forgotten in day-to-day life, but has contributed
to the fellow who these belong to.
Dennis recalls how time spent on the 39th parallel and with Minnesota on the 49th, the weather was not that much different. In other words, they froze for months on end. Dennis recalls his shoes were often soaked through for days on end. If there were any chance to gain an extra pair of socks, it was never passed by.
When Dennis realized that this group of fellows got together only 45 miles away, it opened a door to make, or in some cases reunite, friends. How wonderful to get out of the small town comfort zone and broaden horizons. It isn’t all chit chat about the time served. Finding out how others have spent their lives after serving their country is a good thing.
We are heading to Mankato for a night of fellowship for the boys who had to grow up fast to be the men who came home to find jobs and grow their own families. Life is good. Often, as Dennis and I sit and enjoy our coffee, there comes a memory that Dennis shares. It isn’t always a sad or a bad one. These fellows who served together became a family.