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