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Newsletter March 10 2004Editor Comment:
Hal and I wish to thank all who read and respond to our
newsletters and who offer comments or suggestions for
articles.
This site and this newsletter continue to be available due
only to the dedicated efforts of 4020 persons or
organizations who place value in our offerings.
We remain deeply indebted and appreciative for that effort.
Many of you print out issues or web pages for sharing or
forward them to others, making the circle of "awareness"
grow like a stone tossed into a pond. The ripples created
bring new visitors to the site each day. Thank You!
Over 100,000 messages have been posted to the site in the
past 9 years. Our personal email count is over 250,000.
Each month an average of 58,000 to 98,000 individuals visit
the site, figures that have been constant since we upgraded
to T-1 speed in 2000.
We wrote about Lloyd Miller's revisit to Korea in the last
issue of the newsletter. There are many more such stories
that will be shared. One comment from a visitor sums it up:
"The moving story of Lloyd Miller tells me this:"
"The story itself is of these two people meeting each other
for only a brief two minutes in all their lives, yet it
illustrates well how ONE individual person can make such an
important gift to the rest of us.
It shows how much Lloyd cared to go back all that way for
the rest of us who can't, because Lloyd cares about 'Life'."
(excerpt)
"Secondly, there is that faceless Korean kitchen worker, who
knew all his/or her life that 'thank you' could mean so much
to the so many."
Paul Wade
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This issue is dedicated to the memory of Hal's friend
Willis Dean (Andy) Anderson, 23rd Inf Rgt (52-53)RIP 2/04/04
Dedication by Leonard Jordan, 23rd Inf Rgt, 2nd ID.
Andy was one of Hal's earliest contacts in the regiment.
Let this dedication stand as tribute to all our friends who
have passed this life in recent years.
Hal and Ted Barker
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Newsletter for March 10th, 2004
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Table of Contents
1. Purple Hearts for POW's who die in captivity.
2. Revisit Korea
3. KWVA National Elections - July 2004
4. Danny Keenan, "Baby George Ascom Cruz - Ibfc."
5. Thanks for saving my country!
6. Books | Films
7. This Mailing List Subscribe | Unsubscribe
8. Membership, Sponsors
9. Nursing scholarship, U. of Pittsburgh
10. Military Awards vendor
11. Data Removed
12. Poem "Mud Marine" credits found
13. New Zealander looking for USS Du Page mates
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1. Purple Hearts for POW's who die in captivity.
==========================================================
Editor note:
Shorty Estabrook, leader of the former POW's group,
The Tiger Survivors, has a request that follows.
From Shorty Estabrook;
I would like to ask you to help us promote a proposed bill
regarding the Purple Heart Medal. I want all members of our
Armed Forces who become Prisoners of War and WHO DIE WHILE a
Prisoner of War to be awarded the Purple Heart Medal. I
emphasize "WHO DIED WHILE a Prisoner of War."
That medal is now awarded only if the next of kin can prove
the person died of wounds. If they died of starvation,
beaten to death or froze to death, no medal is authorized.
And the next of kin has a hard time to prove anything except
that their loved one has been promoted to Glory (died).
The Tiger Survivors (Korean War) lost 59 % of their numbers
while they were POW's! Some received the Purple Heart and
some did not, leaving the next of kin to wonder.
We do owe this to those who may never come home from that
dreadful place.
Recent legislation has made it easier for a former POW to
request the Purple Heart Medal but nothing has been done for
those who perished a horrible death at the hands of a brutal
enemy.
"PLEASE HELP?"
When someone died while a Prisoner of War that is as final
as you can get and the Purple Heart offers at least some
closure for the families! "Remember, these were our fathers,
brothers, uncles, friends and comrades, and they gave their
all for us!!!!!"
If You Need More Info please let us know!
Wilbert [Shorty] Esterbrook
23816 Matador Way
Murrieta, CA 92562
Phone 9 -600-7222
E-Mail: tigersurvivors@comcast.net
Website: https://www.tigersurvivors.org
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2. Revisit Korea
==========================================================
Ben Youmans, Sec/Tress of the 35th Inf Rgt Assn. sent the
following notice for readers.
The Revisit Program For Korean War Veterans to go back to
Korea is still on. It will be on for 2004-05.
If you are interested in going back to Korea for 5 (five
days at the expense of the Korean Government, call this
number; 1-703-212-0695 OR E-MAIL THE REVISIT PROGRAM AT
MHT@MILTOURS.COM
Note: If there are other tours, other vendors, do let us
know so we can post for everyone's benefit.
Miltours works with the KWVA for Revisit programs.
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3. KWVA National Elections - July of 2004
==========================================================
Several dozen KWVA members many of whom are also members of
the Korean War Project asked us to announce the upcoming
National Elections as a reminder to all current members to
get out the vote.
Ballots are printed in the official magazine of the
association, "The GreyBeards", and they should be hitting
the street very soon, so HEADS UP! (March/April issue).
The Korean War Project shall be publishing the resume's of
the candidates, soon. The Korean War Educator (Lynnita
Brown) website will also have full electoral information as
does the current and pending issue of "The Ferret", a
newsletter containing information not found in GrayBeards
magazine.
The Ferret and the KWE site bring up topics that underscore
issues of importance to members of the KWVA as does a lively
and hard hitting, unofficial, online discussion group
KWVA-AD-HOC.
Information resources:
1) KWVA National website: https://www.kwva.org
2) "The Ferret" newsletter, USPS only
Ken Buckley
207 Forest Avenue
Bangor Maine 04401
Email: KBuc263924@aol.com
(Send self-addressed envelop w/postage, please)
3) Korean War Educator: https://www.koreanwar-educator.org
KWVA Info:
https://www.koreanwar-educator.org/kwva_index.htm
Email: Lynnita Brown lynnita@tuscola-il.com
4) KWVA Ad-Hoc message list server:
Don Finch, Owner KWVA-AD-HOC
Editor Western NY KWVA Newsletter
Kenmore, NY
* Post message:
KWVA-AD-HOC@yahoogroups.com
* Subscribe:
KWVA-AD-HOC-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
* Unsubscribe: KWVA-AD-HOC-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
* List owner:
KWVA-AD-HOC-owner@yahoogroups.com
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4. Danny Keenan, "Baby George Ascom Cruz - Ibfc."
==========================================================
Dear Mr. Barker:
My name is Janet Matthews, and I am a writer, working with
Daniel Keenan on a book. You may be familiar with Danny's
story - during the Korean War he was known as Baby George
Ascom Cruz - Ibfc. . (Infant Boy First Class).
In brief, he was a mixed race baby abandoned at Ascom City
in early summer of 1953, and deliberated to the Star of the
Sea Orphanage in Inchon, run by Sister Philomena. Because he
was clearly American, Sister contacted the US authorities,
who reached Captain John (Chick) Hayward on board the
carrier The USS Point Cruz.
Captain Hayward sent Father Edward Riley ashore to
investigate, and the upshot was Baby George was brought on
board the Point Cruz for about 6 weeks for TLC from a
thousand young homesick men.
Father Riley was successful in navigating the post war red
tape, and procured Baby George a Korean passport, and
eventually a visa to enter the US. He was ultimately adopted
by Lt.Dr. Hugh Keenan (and his wife) who was serving aboard
a hospital ship also in and out of Inchon that year.
Danny grew up in a loving American Family, and a few years
ago this story was told in the made for TV movie, 1000 Men
and a Baby.
Working with Daniel, I wrote a short version of the story
that was then published in Chicken Soup for the Parents
Soul. Dan and I have been further researching this story for
about 3 years, and the manuscript for the book is well
underway. Dan attends reunions of the Point Cruz every year,
and we have input from many of the men who were there.
We are however, looking for as many personal memories around
this story as possible. In addition to anyone from the Point
Cruz we haven't yet connected with, we are particularly
looking to connect with anyone who served aboard the
Hospital Ships USS Consolation, and USS Repose from April to
December of 1953.
Thanks so much,
Warmest Regards
Janet Matthews
Canadian Co-author
Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul
905-881-8995 ext 28
Fax: 905-881-8996
janet@canadiansoul.com
Check out our totally renovated website!
https://www.canadiansoul.com
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5. Thanks for saving my country!
==========================================================
On Thursday October 23, 2003, I had completed my yearly
physical at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. I had
returned to my van to drive home and had just opened the
door when a voice said "Were you in Korea during the war?"
I looked up and it was a woman in her 50's of Korean decent.
I said "yes I was". She grabbed hold of my hand and started
shaking it and said "Thank You, thank you for saving my
Country". I did not know what to say. After I recovered my
composure, I said "I'm sorry we could not save the whole
country!". Her response was "that was political".
We both got in our cars and drove away. She had seen my
Korean War Mosquitoes tag on the front of my van. I also
noticed that she had a base sticker from Patrick AFB.
No one has ever thanked me for my military service before.
Thought you and the Mosquitoes might enjoy this as it is a
thank you to ALL who served.
Alan Reiter MSgt ( retired USAF )
795 NW Palm Drive
Lake City, FL 32055
tinkal@ATLANTIC.net
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6. Books | Films
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===a.===
We are pleased to announce a reissue of Bill Allen's
"My Old Box Of Memories".
Why I wrote MY Old Box of Memories
By William Allen
My Old Box Of Memories was started by my father, in the form
of a scrap book. He began saving everything that was printed
in the newspapers. He did this up until the day I was
released and returned home. When giving me the book I
could not bring myself to the point where I could look at it
or read any of the articles. I put the scrap book in the
closet and it remained there until Helen and I got married
and had our own home.
Bookstore See:
https://www.koreanwar.org/html/my_old_box_of_memories.html
Note: Bill donates his revenue to schoolchildren as
scholarships.
Bill Allen
421 4th Ave N.
Tierra Verde Fl 33715
PH: 727 866 8337
Email: williamallen2@tampabay.rr.com
===b.===
Book in progress
Dear Rakkasans:
I am writing a book about General William C. Westmoreland
and would very much like to contact people who may have
served with him in the 187th during the Korean War.
Author Lewis Sorley seeks to contact people who served in
the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team with General (then
Brigadier) William C. Westmoreland during the Korean War.
Please call him (collect) at (301) 299-3168 or write to him
at 9429 Garden Court, Potomac, MD 20854.
3. If the unit association has any photographs that include
General Westmoreland, please let me know how I could obtain
copies for use in the book about him.
Lewis Sorley
sorleydog@earthlink.net
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7. This Mailing List Subscribe | Unsubscribe
==========================================================
We began this newsletter mailing in December of 1998.
This list is a private list for our visitors and members. A
person may join or eave the list at will. It is compiled
from our Guestbook and is for public service messages of
general interest to veterans and families.
To join or leave the list: email to:
Ted Barker
tbarker@kwp.org with Subscribe or Unsubscribe
in the subject line.
Consider forwarding the Newsletter to your friends.
==========================================================
9. Nursing scholarship, U. of Pittsburgh
==========================================================
Here is the info on the scholarship and a link to the Univ
of Pittsburgh Nursing School website.
Lt. Ann Visnovsky Miner - Class of 1948 Nursing Scholarship
Fund This is a tuition and books scholarship (ROTC scholars
may also apply for room and board) primarily geared for
students of military families, veterans and ROTC cadets who
are choosing to pursue military nursing.
Preference will be given to undergraduate students, but
graduate students will also be considered. Candidates for
this scholarship can also be residents of the Windber, PA
area (a minimum of 10 years) and the Johnstown, PA area (a
minimum of 10 years.)
~https://www.pitt.edu/~nursing/currentstudents/financialaid_sch
olarship/undergraduateaid.html
(Editor note: be sure to capture entire url link)
regards,
Steve Miner backpkr1@earthlink.net
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10. Military Awards vendor
==========================================================
Fred Morris reports that he has been using a commercial
website vendor for obtaining his ribbons and medals with
good success.
He states that the new KDSM medal is available via this
source: https://www.usmedals.com
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Data Removed
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12. Poem "Mud Marine" credits found
==========================================================
The February 18th, 2004 issue of our newsletter featured
a poem from unknown source. We now have information on the
creator of the original version, thanks to a pen pal.
Hi Ted:
Just a note to let you know that I know the source of the
"Mud Marine" poem in the newsletter.
A. Lawrence Vaincourt of Canada wrote and copyrighted it in
1985. I obtained his permission to use it on my web page and
there is a link to his page there.
https://www.wtv-zone.com/rfbj/1page/1justsoldier.html
I am sure that he would like to have it properly written and
credited.
Bob
bobsplace26@webtv.net
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13. New Zealander looking for USS Du Page mates
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From: Arthur Curry arthurjanecurry@xtra.co.nz
Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2003 2:05 AM
HAL and TED
Thank you for your Festive Seasons Greeting.
I became involved with your site because of good memories of
the friendship I received on board USS Du Page in Sasebo in
1951 while waiting to transfer from HMNZS Taupo to
HMS Belfast along with nine other RNZN personnel.
My searches of your listed contributors over a number of
years has not brought forth the name of one of those USN
matleots that looked after these, to them, strange Kiwi
guys.
Time moves on, are they still out there? I do hope so.
My contacts with both www.comradesandcolleagues.com and
www.rnzn-stokers.co.nz gives me ongoing contact with those I
served with, sufficient to the day.
As President of the Marlborough Branch of the New Zealand
Korean Veterans Association, best wishes for a Happy
Christmas and Merry New Year to you and all of your
supporters.
Arthur Curry
8 Adams Lane
Roselands
Blenheim 7301
New Zealand
64 3 577 5963
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Thanks to all who have made this possible.
Hal and Ted Barker
hbarker@kwp.org tbarker@kwp.org
Korean War Project |
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