Have we done all we can to honor Korean War Veterans?

2015-06-30T00:09:03-04:00

This month we finally rolled out the welcome home mats for our Vietnam Veterans. But it seems to me we continue to shortchange our Korean War Veterans. About 35,000 were KIA. Why haven't we done more to honor those Vets who, like most Vietnam Vets, came home to to indifference.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 30 at 2015 12:13 AM

2015-06-30T00:13:36-04:00

My old Scoutmaster is a Korean war veteran Senior NCO. No, we have not been very helpful to Korean war vets. But I don't have any data to support my argument.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jun 30 at 2015 12:20 AM

2015-06-30T00:20:53-04:00

I wish those poor Task Force Smith veterans all got a free home, car, and enough cash to last them a lifetime just for doing the impossible. One day you are hanging out in Japan watching the geishas and downing sake, the next day you are in Korea, with an unloaded M-1, and a bazooka with no rounds, waiting for every tank from the north to come down and send you to your maker. There is no such thing as a peace time military! We are always a phone call away from the fight. Thank you for posting this CH (MAJ) William Beaver. Police action my 4th point of contact!

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 30 at 2015 12:29 AM

2015-06-30T00:29:31-04:00

To wax prosaic,
NO

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 7:29 AM

2015-06-30T07:29:24-04:00

IMHO, no we have not done enough for the Korean Veterans. It isn't called the Forgotten War for nothing. No one (other than the Vets and those that care about the Vets) wants to really remember. I always try my best at my VFW and when some of those Korean Vets walk into my lab for blood work. I treat them with serious respect and if I end up finding out what their rank was, I end up addressing them by their rank. I feel it is the least I can do.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 30 at 2015 11:30 AM

2015-06-30T11:30:35-04:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver. Many Korean War veterans also served and fought in WWII. Those that served in WWII came home to generally very warm receptions which was followed by the biggest Reduction in Force. Our rapid draw-down and tendency to go back the pre-war attitude of limiting our focus to the USA and the Americas. The invasion by the North Koreans led to the raid formation and "deployment" of Task Force Smith. They had the odd's stacked against them yet despite their casualties they did manage to fight a somewhat effective delaying action.
To be honest I am not very interested in the Federal government "does" for veterans apart from VA, appropriate memorials and proper burials with full military honors for each an everyone who served in the Korean conflict up to the armistice.
I would hope there would be a resurgence in honor and remembering the sacrifices of those who risked their lives to preserve our freedoms by the general American populace. While M.A.S.H. was supposed to be about the Korea War it was more of a comedy and social commentary.
It would help if there was a high quality movie on the same caliber as Saving Private Ryan about the Korean war - perhaps even including Task Force Smith. Hopefully the film would get historical background and military expertise on the weapons and equipment including the newly operational helicopter