The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

Family Updates
Family updates are held monthly in
cities across the U.S. This year marks the
fifth year that DPMO and other government
specialists have presented this updated
information to family members. Thus
far, approximately 1,700 families of missing
in action servicemen have attended
these meetings. At a recent update held in
Los Angeles, more than 130 family members
attended. This was the largest session
held since the beginning of the program.
These all-day Saturday briefings are
preceded by a Friday evening session
designed especially for veterans and members
of the general public. The Friday
briefings last approximately two hours,
and are open to the public.
Experts present information on the latest
technologies used to identify remains,
including mitochondrial DNA. Archival
research and other topics are also presented
to the families. At the end of the allday
sessions, families are invited to privately
review details of their own cases.
This initiative assists families who are
unable to travel to Washington, D.C. to
review their individual case files.
2000-2001 Family Update Schedule
Date
Location
Oct 21, 2000 ........Pittsburgh, PA
Nov 18..................Miami, FL
Jan 20, 2001 ........Las Vegas, NV
Feb 24 ..................San Francisco, CA
Mar 17 ..................San Antonio, TX
Apr 21 ..................Cheyenne, WY
May 19 ................Atlanta, GA
Aug 18 ................St. Paul, MN
Sept 15..................Providence, RI
Oct 20 ..................Orlando, FL
Nov 17..................Little Rock, AR
Submissions to The Graybeards
Readers are welcome to submit letters,
poems, articles, notes and stories
to The Graybeards for publication.
Submissions are selected for publication
on the basis of suitability, length,
and timeliness.
Opinions and comments published
are the sole responsibility of the
author. Official opinions of the Korean
War Veterans Association appear under
“Official Announcements.”
Recognition A Long Time Coming
By Audrey J. Reid
Many people do not realize
how hurtful it can be to those
of us who have been in military
service when we hear negative and
hostile opinions expressed by people
regarding women in the military.
Unless one has been in the
armed services and served as a
woman, it is impossible to have a
true picture of our experiences in
the military. During the Korean
War, I volunteered to serve my
country and my people. I did not do so
expecting special treatment or a glamorous
job. I believe most young women
who have signed on the dotted line have
felt the same way. Since the time of the
American Revolution, women have
worked hard to do their duty, ensuring our
freedoms and the democratic way of life.
Few women who serve receive
the acceptance and acknowledgment
they deserve.
Through the years, the roles of women
in the military have grown and changed
with the times, just like in the private sector.
With these changes came conflicts and
concerns. We have seen an abuse of power
by leadership in sensitive training areas
such as combat and aviation. Even though
women were not allowed to be in combat
areas during the two world wars, Korea
and Vietnam, there were women unavoidably
exposed, injured taken prisoner and
killed.
In the past, women were denied rank
and power in military service because
they had not served in combat units.
Through the years this has changed to
some degree. In truth, not all men have
served or will serve in combat units, yet
they have been allowed to rise through the
ranks at a higher rate. The argument
should not be about women in combat, but
helping men and women serve to their
highest potential in military service for
America. Let he or she be judged on qualifications
and performance, not gender.
It is extremely gratifying that our
young military service women (and men)
are speaking out on harassment and
abuse—and that all services are taking a
Audrey then, and now. Her beauty and duty are
still obvious.
firm stand on stopping it. In the past,
some of us who experienced such things
were too afraid to come forward or were
brushed off. When we were discharged,
some of us were poorly served by the VA
system and the veterans service organizations.
We felt compelled to explain our
service over and over again in order to be
accepted as real veterans. Even today, too
many people view real veterans as those
who served in combat or in combat units.
Although our VA system and service
organizations are now more accepting, it’s
been a long time coming.
Few women who serve receive the
acceptance and acknowledgment they
deserve. History books and learning institutions
make little mention of women’s
roles in military service. The media, when
they do cover military women, usually do
so in a controversial format There are so
many good things we have done and such
wonderful stories! That is why we are so
pleased about the national memorial in
Washington at the entrance of Arlington
Cemetery The Women’s Memorial gives
us, our families, friends and the nation the
opportunity to register our names and stories
for posterity.
September/October, 2000 Page 27