Special KWVA "W in Your Dream Vacation Fund-Raiser" Information ...

A couple years ago I joined the ranks of
one of the most outstanding and prestigious
“Korean War” Veteran organization,
“The Graybeards,” as it proudly proclaimed
in its publication’s name. My wife and I
attended our first reunion/convention at
Norfolk, Virginia. We were impressed
greatly by the hospitality and comradeship
shown to us by many members and their
wives. There was always somebody to give
us support or who called, “Are you okay?”
when we were struggling along.
Our paths may or may not have crossed
someplace, sometime, at the front-lines “or
not too front,” but we were always joined
by friendly unseen hands supporting us
and encouraging us to serve our country
well.
Yes, I’m glad I’ve selected this path at the
mid-point of my journey where I was
exposed to the beautiful starry night, the
loving eyes of the moon, the calm sea of
tranquility, the magnificent red colored rays
and white streak that emitted from the
morning sun—the “blue” warms of comradeship
that lightened my path.
I often hear the words “forgotten war,”
meaning Korean War. But, how can it be so
when thousands and thousands of young
men have been called upon to defend the
destiny of our country and paid for it with
their precious lives?
I will not forget them. At the end of my
journey, I will say, “Thank you Comrades,
you have done well. Look at the wonderful
country you have helped build. Here’s my
salute to you for the job well done. I hope
I can join your ranks forever when I “Cross
the Bar!”
I’ve seen the sandy beach during the
quiet evening walk—the rippling waves
Membership Number
First two characters reflect
membership type
The Graybeards
Check Your Mailing Label
*************************************************5 Digit
R012345 01/01/10
JOHN J. JOHN
12345 MAIN ST
SMILEY NY 01234-5678
DELIVERY POINT BARCODE
washing away the footprints made by
many people during the balmy September
day, the sand castle that probably some
parents or grandparents made to entertain
their little loved ones, and the scribbling on
the sand. The tide of the sea erases everything
in its way, like washing away our
memories.
As I grow older, my memories are gradually
beginning to wane. It’s the gift of the
Maker, some say, to make me forget
things! I can’t be carrying my baggage
around forever; it’s best to leave it behind
so, without it, I can truly enjoy - “lightheartedly”
- the happy (peaceful) life.
I am at the crossroad of my long journey,
the paths made through the many rugged,
winding terrains and the pleasant beauty
and the wonder of nature. During the hustling
and bustling pace, I have forgotten the
many beauties that the Maker has provided
me, among them the most important
essence of life, “LOVE.”
At my waning days, it may be too late to
make other adventurous paths, but I would
like to restrict myself in making fewer less
physical ones, and more of the peaceful
and tranquil ones. Let me sit back and try
to make my own paths the best I know
how.
Like the “roadside shrub,” I would like to
sit back and take in the beauties of the
paths which were offered to me. With the
knowledge gained, I would like to help my
future generation make wiser choices of
their paths.
James I. Umeda
585 Harrison Rd
Monterey Park, CA 91755
(626) 307-5170
Membership Dues Expiration Date. The example
shows a dues date of January 1st, 2010
Check your name and address ( Apt./Bldg/Lot No.). Notify the Membership
Chairman if you find an error. If yourJ zip code does not contain 9 digits
(zip+4), your address is not correct according to the USPS. Contact your local
Post Office for proper format.
Important: If barcode
does not
extend across the
full label, then
your zip code
does not have 9
digits and your
address is not
complete according
to the USPS.
Contact your local
Post Office for
proper format.
What I missed
the most
We continue our series on what I missed
the most. If you want to tell us what you
missed the most while you were in
Korea—or the service in general—please
send them to our “Missed the Most” editor
at 152 Sky View Drive, Rocky Hill, CT
06067.
What didn’t I miss?
Missed the most? What didn’t I miss?
• My bride to be (never happened; I
sent her a Dear John). Mistake? Don’t
know. In her case, I should have stayed in
Korea.
• I missed my hot rod, buddies, driving
“Dad’s” low bed, bulldozer, motor grader…
• I missed fishing with my grandparents
in northern California.
• I missed a shower every night, clean
sheets, visiting and messing with the car
hops at drive-ins.
• And, of course, family!!
A great idea for these stories.
Marvin Reed
2900 Right Hand Cyn Rd.
Palomino Valley, NV 89510
Milk!
• What I missed the most while I was in
Korea was milk.
I came home on the Anderson. As we
came off the ship, we were separated by
who had their stripes and who did not. I
did not. Those of us without stripes were
put on KP for the night.
Some one found out that there was a lot
of milk in the cooler. We took turns going
into it. We would drink a carton, fold the
top back, and put the empty carton into
another case. Come morning, the milk was
about gone.
When the sergeant found out, he came
out of the cooler like he was shot out of a
cannon. He went to the 1st Lt. They had to
get into their cars and drive to other mess
halls for more milk to serve with breakfast.
I was in the 58th Medical Group at K2.
Jerry Tossey
394 Farm Lane
Cadillac, MI 49601
(231) 779 4027
May – June 2009
23