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Korea, The Forgotten Warriors (DMZ Veterans)
September 25, 2015
In a couple of weeks, it will make 24 years since we turned the last American sector of the Korean DMZ over to the Republic of Korea Army, along with our mission of running patrols, guard posts, and observation points! After a 38 year presence on the Korean DMZ since the Armistice was signed in 1953.
Contrary to popular belief or assumption, a Peace Treaty has never been signed with the North Koreans, technically to this day war exists on the peninsula! Incidents still happen along the DMZ as we all know considering the most recent a couple of months back. These types of incidents is not new, and for those of us that have served on the DMZ or even in Korea outside of it, know this! Some DMZ Veterans have been involved in various incidents, many have gone unreported and unknown as the years have gone by. And some “Gave It All”, they made the ultimate sacrifice, they gave their lives to not only protect the southern side of the fragile border there, but to defend their fellow warriors.
DMZ Veterans have always received very little recognition and understanding from those outside of that duty, who never served it. Partly as the old saying goes: “What happens in Korea, stays in Korea.” Which seems quite true, especially to us of those who served on the DMZ. Sadly, other veterans at times have tried to discredit our DMZ Veterans! A while back I had a young Iraqi veteran state the Korea was an easy tour, I asked him did you serve there before 1991 and pull any missions on the DMZ! He didn't reply to my question, and probable because he already figured I knew the answer! Sadly, that same veteran probable spent his time in Iraq hiding in a camp and never had to leave safety of it! He wouldn't state what his MOS was either, if he was combat arms he would have most likely and proudly stated.
Combat Awards and Patches, very few have ever been give out in the 38 years we stood the DMZ. Some incidents have been recognized and a few awards given, many have not as several of us know from personal experience! The one award given, was only a local award to Korea, but all those who served on the DMZ still wear it proudly: Imjin Scout! Mention Imjin Scout to another veteran who has served along the DMZ, and you don't have to state anything else! Imjin Scout is a self-defining term to all DMZ Veterans!
Combat injuries along the DMZ have many times been treated as training incidents or non-combat in general! PTSD is not uncommon either for several DMZ veterans! If you asked why, you had to be there to truly understand the duty and what sacrifices that were expected and were made.
Agent Orange in Korea, another sad issue that seems to be totally ignored just like those that have served in Korea especially on the DMZ! Currently the presumptive dates is 68 to 71 for Agent Orange in Korea! There are many veterans long before and after those dates who are suffering from Agent Orange related illnesses and diseases, along with their children and grandchildren! And yet it is ignored and overlooked! Yet these veterans and their families are forgotten, not only by our Government, but by the very same American citizens that we were will to protect and defend when we served our duty!!!! If Korea was such an easy duty, then why is that our veterans who serve there are dying from their service 20, 30, 40, and 50 years afterwards from Agent Orange illnesses? If Americans care about their veterans as many say they do, then why are these veterans forgotten and overlooked? All we ask is to: “Honor the Promise”........
The ever present dangers of Korea still exists to this day, the dangers are not as severe to our troops for the most part after October 1991, but are still there! As most Americans don't know, realize, or most likely just don't care, we still have a few troops that serve in the JSA (Joint Security Area) forces and face the North Koreans daily at Panmunjom. They stay in danger at all times along with our Republic of Korea troops, and several other UN troops from various nations! Their service also need to be recognized, for they are the representatives of the United States who are willing to sacrifice their lives in the name of Freedom for the Korean people!
On a personal note, I write this in support of all those that served on the DMZ like I did! Our families who are affected by our service! We were soldiers who were called on to perform our duties and we did it proudly back then, and are definitely proud of it now especially since it is a duty of the past! But I ask all out there to recognize and support our DMZ veterans as you do all other veterans who have served in other combat zones! They earned it, they deserve it!!!!!
“Imjin Scout”
Thomas J. Lucken
September 25, 2015
In a couple of weeks, it will make 24 years since we turned the last American sector of the Korean DMZ over to the Republic of Korea Army, along with our mission of running patrols, guard posts, and observation points! After a 38 year presence on the Korean DMZ since the Armistice was signed in 1953.
Contrary to popular belief or assumption, a Peace Treaty has never been signed with the North Koreans, technically to this day war exists on the peninsula! Incidents still happen along the DMZ as we all know considering the most recent a couple of months back. These types of incidents is not new, and for those of us that have served on the DMZ or even in Korea outside of it, know this! Some DMZ Veterans have been involved in various incidents, many have gone unreported and unknown as the years have gone by. And some “Gave It All”, they made the ultimate sacrifice, they gave their lives to not only protect the southern side of the fragile border there, but to defend their fellow warriors.
DMZ Veterans have always received very little recognition and understanding from those outside of that duty, who never served it. Partly as the old saying goes: “What happens in Korea, stays in Korea.” Which seems quite true, especially to us of those who served on the DMZ. Sadly, other veterans at times have tried to discredit our DMZ Veterans! A while back I had a young Iraqi veteran state the Korea was an easy tour, I asked him did you serve there before 1991 and pull any missions on the DMZ! He didn't reply to my question, and probable because he already figured I knew the answer! Sadly, that same veteran probable spent his time in Iraq hiding in a camp and never had to leave safety of it! He wouldn't state what his MOS was either, if he was combat arms he would have most likely and proudly stated.
Combat Awards and Patches, very few have ever been give out in the 38 years we stood the DMZ. Some incidents have been recognized and a few awards given, many have not as several of us know from personal experience! The one award given, was only a local award to Korea, but all those who served on the DMZ still wear it proudly: Imjin Scout! Mention Imjin Scout to another veteran who has served along the DMZ, and you don't have to state anything else! Imjin Scout is a self-defining term to all DMZ Veterans!
Combat injuries along the DMZ have many times been treated as training incidents or non-combat in general! PTSD is not uncommon either for several DMZ veterans! If you asked why, you had to be there to truly understand the duty and what sacrifices that were expected and were made.
Agent Orange in Korea, another sad issue that seems to be totally ignored just like those that have served in Korea especially on the DMZ! Currently the presumptive dates is 68 to 71 for Agent Orange in Korea! There are many veterans long before and after those dates who are suffering from Agent Orange related illnesses and diseases, along with their children and grandchildren! And yet it is ignored and overlooked! Yet these veterans and their families are forgotten, not only by our Government, but by the very same American citizens that we were will to protect and defend when we served our duty!!!! If Korea was such an easy duty, then why is that our veterans who serve there are dying from their service 20, 30, 40, and 50 years afterwards from Agent Orange illnesses? If Americans care about their veterans as many say they do, then why are these veterans forgotten and overlooked? All we ask is to: “Honor the Promise”........
The ever present dangers of Korea still exists to this day, the dangers are not as severe to our troops for the most part after October 1991, but are still there! As most Americans don't know, realize, or most likely just don't care, we still have a few troops that serve in the JSA (Joint Security Area) forces and face the North Koreans daily at Panmunjom. They stay in danger at all times along with our Republic of Korea troops, and several other UN troops from various nations! Their service also need to be recognized, for they are the representatives of the United States who are willing to sacrifice their lives in the name of Freedom for the Korean people!
On a personal note, I write this in support of all those that served on the DMZ like I did! Our families who are affected by our service! We were soldiers who were called on to perform our duties and we did it proudly back then, and are definitely proud of it now especially since it is a duty of the past! But I ask all out there to recognize and support our DMZ veterans as you do all other veterans who have served in other combat zones! They earned it, they deserve it!!!!!
“Imjin Scout”
Thomas J. Lucken
Korea
South Korea
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 26
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Well damn, can't get the so-called Powers to be of Rallypoint to answer to this question or help in creating the group! I guess since none of them ever served on the DMZ either in JSA or before Oct 3rd, 1991. They just don't give a damn. Tired of trying to communicate this to them!
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1SG Fred Hermstein
They missed the freezing winters, Monsoon season, and the land mines-wait it's not a combat zone so let's ignore the land mines.
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I think one of the responses to your question could be how do you define "DMZ Veteran"? This question/discussion gets a little dicey and at times, heated. For example, I was a tanker who was stationed at both Camp Casey and Camp Howze. Our AO was all over the place north of these bases all the way up to the Z (without violating the treaty). The scouts in our unit actually pulled Z duty and patrolled inside the DMZ. While I was at Howze we were attached to the infantry on the DMZ. We went to our positions on the Z frequently to make sure we knew our routes and coordinated with the infantry so we could support them, etc.. One problem though...we could never bring our tanks up to our positions because it was a cease fire violation. Most infantry guys I know that did Z duty would say your not really a Z vet, your not infantry. However that feeling would change quickly if the excrement hit the fan and they needed tanks to stop the bleeding. To me, it would make more sense to have an Area 1 group which is basically everyone in the hardship area (from Camp Casey and Camp Howze to the Z or the first battle field if it all went down). But honestly, unit groups are good enough for me as we fight as a combined arms unit anyway. My 2 cents.
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SGT Thomas Lucken
Joe I agree! Some think you had to be in a combat MOS are always station north of Freedom or Libby Bridges! By the way, I am heading back to Korea it looks like in November. Part of the 50th Anniversary of 2ID's return!
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SPC Perry Martin
Unfortunately we were told from day one that support would never come because the bridge would blow and we would be alone. Maybe that was just moral or male machismo but that is why not living north of the river with 24/7 propaganda blasting and always on alert is considered the same. All respect to tankers, artillery, and all others supporting the mission. I was not 11B but lived 2 years at Camp Greaves. Visiting for work or pleasure isn't the same as living there. My thoughts
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SGT Thomas Lucken
When 1-9 redesignated to 1-506, always thought Stand Alone motto worked well with Freedom Bridge! :-)
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1SG Fred Hermstein
SPC Perry Martin -The DMZ is the Quiet War, the Hidden War, and the Unknown War. If it's not a combat zone, why are there landmines, why do squads patrol with live rounds and not squirt guns, why are there bunkers in the outposts?
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