Sep/Oct 2005 - Korean War Veterans Association

plus other cultural/industrial facilities and
activities in the Seoul area. Other tours of
battle sites and/or Inch eon may be made
through the local tour guide.
3. A special reception and dinner hosted
by the President of the Korean Veterans
Association (KVA) during which the Korea
War Medal and Certificate of Ambassador
for Peace will be awarded to each veteran
who has not received it before.
Sundry Notes
1. The KVA Revisit Program privileges are
provided for scheduled groups only.
2. Participants are required to have a valid
passport: a visa is not required for visits
of 15 days for fewer in Korea.
3. KVA/Seoul is not responsible for any
loss of, or damage to, personal or other
items, medical expenses, injuries, or loss
of like due to any accident of whatever
nature during the revisits. Trip cancellation
insurance is available and highly recommended.
4. Transportation costs to and from Korea
will be borne by each person who participates
in the program.
5. Applications will be received/accepted
on a “first-come, first-served” basis.
Note: If you have previously accepted an
oficial KVA/Seoul Revisit tour from any
sponsoring association or group, you are
NOT eligible to participate again. The reason
is that so many veterans have not
gone before so they get the “first right of
return.”
Because former Revisit Program participants
have their name in the KVA/Seoul’s
computer database, please do not try to
beat the system. If your name is rejected
because of prior participation, all of us
will be embarrassed and an eligible Korea
War veteran might miss the opportunity
to participate.
6. If you want to use your frequent flier
miles-or other “free” transportation, you
will be charged an administrative service
fee of $300 per person.
Caution: Not traveling with KWVA group
air contract can result in much higher
post-tour costs to China and other Pacific
location.
Note: Should you desire to have a single
room or take additional family or friends
with you, this can be arranged for an
additional cost. Any such requests must
be made in writing.
2006 Revisit Korea Tour Program
Dear Fellow Korean War Veteran(s):
The Korean Veterans Association (KVA),
Seoul has recently announced that the ROK
government subsidized REVISIT KOREA
Program will continue. They also indicated
that a request has been made to increase the
funding, and thus the numbers eligible to participate.
Since these tours are ALWAYS sold
out, it is vitally important that you register
early. You can always cancel later for personal
or health reasons, but you may miss out on
the 2006 program if you procrastinate.
The eligibility requirements established
by KVA Seoul are contained on the reverse
of this letter. The most important requirement
is that a veteran must have served “in, over,
or around” the Korean peninsula during the
period 25 June 1950 to 15 October 1954. In
addition, applicants must be members in
good standing of the U.S. KWVA. If you are
not, a KWVA membership application is
enclosed.
To register for the 2006 program, complete
the enclosed application, attach the
A Life Outside America
By Trevor W. Powis
My trip to Korea was an adventure I
believe everyone should get a chance to
experience. It’s a trip like nothing you’ve
ever imagined.
I made this trip last summer, before I
started college. I was 18 years old when my
grandfather offered me a trip to Korea. I
didn’t know what to think of it. I had this
picture in my mind of a small town with dirt
roads and tiny huts. You just really have no
idea what to expect until you are actually
there.
Possibly the most amazing thing I experienced
on this trip was the culture of the
Korean people. While walking the streets of
Korea, I got to watch the people interact
with one another in a way you can’t experience
in the States. It was truly amazing to
see how differently things are done across
seas. It seemed as though everything had
changed; everything from the clothing to
the cooking, and from the customs to the
culture. It was almost like discovering a life
outside America.
But the thing that surprised me the most
appropriate deposit, and mail the form back
to the above address. The actual Revisit
Korea dates are usually received by us in late
January or early February. Upon receipt, we
will mail out to those ALREADY REGIS-
TERED a preference form that lists the 2006
program dates. Registrants can then select, in
order of preference, the programs for which
they want to be considered.
Sincere Fraternal Regards,
Warren Wiedhahn
President/CEO
Korea - 1950
KWVA Revisit Korea Coordinator
Optional Post Tours: After every Revisit
Korea tour, we schedule an optional tour to
Beijing, China. Over 60 % of past Revisit
Korea participants and their families have
selected this very popular option. Beijing,
China, is less than two hours by air from
Seoul, Korea. You may also remain in Korea
longer if you want to visit, on your own, the
specific battle areas where you served. We
will assist you in your tour extensions.
on this trip was how warmly we were
accepted by the Korean people. They
seemed to do as much as they could to
make us feel welcome in their country.
Some of the Koreans even spoke a little
English to help us out.
One day, we decided to take the subway
across town. But, when we got off, we
weren’t sure where to go next. We found a
large map on the wall. While we were trying
to make sense of it, a local asked us if
we needed help. He helped us figure out
where we needed to go.
I would definitely recommend this trip
to anyone who is considering it. It was a trip
I will never forget. From the time the plane
left the runway in Los Angeles until the
time we made it back home, the air was
filled with excitement. There is nothing like
a trip to a foreign country. Like I said, if
you’re considering this trip definitely take
it. It’s a decision you won’t regret.
Trevor W. Powis, of Franklin, TN, is the
grandson of William J. Powis, who lives in
Seven Fields, PA. They made their Korean
Return visit in June 2005.
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The Graybeards September - October 2005