The Graybeards - KWVA - Korean War Veterans Association

Trip #3
by John M. Scara
My wife and I recently returned from a
visit to Korea after 46 years. We were
part of KWVA Revisit Program with
Military Historic Tours, Inc. Our reason for
going was more than just reminiscence. I
was with the 7th Infantry Division from
June 1953 to September 1954. I was in S-2
recon section and after the Cease-fire was
transferred into the PX. That’s when I first
met a Katusa named Kyong Choon Lee. I
estimated his age around 16 years old. We
nicknamed him Joe.
He possessed a great sense of humor
with a smile that won you over. I soon discovered
he was a very special person eager
to learn about America and my family.
English lessons soon became part of our
routine and he became my shadow for the
next 15 months. He was like a kid brother
who wanted to go everywhere. Soon it was
time to rotate and before I left he gave me a
gold ring to give to my wife. Our parting
was sad and we promised to write to each
other.
He wrote shortly after I arrived home. I
answered but my letter was returned
marked unknown. He wrote again and for
some reason my letters never reached him
as they always returned marked unknown.
He wrote and sent pictures and I went to the
Korean Consulate in New York City but
could never communicate with him. After 2
years the letters stopped. I went on with my
life raising a family but always carried that
with me.
Through the KWVA program and the
help of our tour guide George Malone we
discovered Joe had passed away 3 years
ago. He did have a brother in Seoul and
they supplied his phone number. When we
arrived I had an interpreter call his brother
to see if he had a wife and children and by
the grace of God they were located near our
hotel. We invited them to the hotel for dinner.
The excitement was unbelievable when
his family arrived including grandchildren.
Since we were both unsure if we had the
right man I held a picture of Joe in my hand
and his beautiful wife approached me with
a picture in hers and they matched.
Emotions ran high and we cried and
laughed at the same time. We were invited
to their home and presents were exchanged
and they even made a video copy for me of
his sixtieth birthday party which is a special
in Korea.
Since our return we communicate with
them on a regular basis and they have sent
us beautiful Korean costumes. We now
refer to them as our family in Korea and
hope to return again in 2003 for the final
celebration.
John M. Scara
410 Liberty Court
Deerfield Beach, Fl. 33442
(If you plan to submit for publication,
please keep your trip reports short and
informative.
Photos would be nice. I will print a few
select future trips in upcoming issues.
Please type. The above 3 trips were special.
Editor.)
“We Called It War”
A book about one man’s rifle platoon
against the Chinese and North
Korean Communists in the Korean
War. This is a book that tells it like it
was on the battlefront of Korea.
To order, send $11.95 plus $2.50
for S & H to:
Denzil Batson
158 Brooks Street
Republic, MO 65738
You may order by phone at:
417-732-7423 or email at:
BatsonDenz@aol.com
January/February, 2001 Page 51