|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Memorial Day
May 27th is Memorial Day. In celebration, there is a nationally celebrated event in Arlington National Cemetery. Other smaller cities also celebrate with veteran’s parade, among having celebrations in parks.
Where I reside in Santa Clara also had a small event around 3PM that day in Central Park.
A day before during night time in the channel PBS there was the 75th Concert that was held and was broadcasted for about an hour and half, it was viewed two times.
During that concert, many of the government officials and current and past defense ministers, and the chairman of joint chief of the staff had greeted one another. In the many crowds that had gathered, there were also veterans, current active members amongst their family members were present as well. They had all gathered to pray for those who had fallen to serve this country and to thank them. So I also during the national anthem – when the trumpet were ringing, I put my hand to my breast.
My son after entering Air Force academy had served for over 29 years and is dedicated in serving for the country. So during the Memorial Day, my heart becomes heavy. I sometimes ponder how my children had become so dedicated to serving this country.
I, of course had to serve my country mandatorily. After the first day entering, I couldn’t resist to get discharged honorably but serve as faithfully as possible. However, the Vietnamese War broke out and I wanted to be discharged on the day but, as an enlisted personnel – I was commanded to stay because of the circumstances with my unit had to serve another 6 months. During the 1960s, Korea’s military mandatory enlistment was 3 years. However, I had served 6 more months. It really felt very long.
While I was serving my country, I did not feel much appreciated in from civilian perspective. Sure, it was normal that anyone had to go to the military service anyway without a special reason unless you had health issues. Some even jokingly snubbed (‘goonbari’) those who were in the military.
Once arriving into United States, I noticed how different in honoring the police officers, fireman and even the lowest ranking soldiers – they were all treated with respect. In an example, after my son had finished his Boot Camp, I was attending the entrance ceremony. There was a time given for the children to have a small time to go out with parents. So I took my son out to nearby Colorado Springs into a restaurant.
Many of the restaurant workers and diners all looked at my son (who had his head cut very short) with a familiarity and of respect. After finishing our meal at the register, there was a 15% discount for my son being accepted into the Academy and that the families would get that discount.
That was not all. I went to a clothing store to get him some comfortable clothing and the same treatment was happening. It is not to write a story about the small amount of money, rather it is to show the feelings that the people, giving encouragement to those who are sacrificing themselves to serve this country.
When a fallen soldier returns from battle and lands near Washington D.C, it does not matter if it is the middle of night, or early morning – when the American flag draped coffin lands, the president is always there to salute. It is very awe-inspiring when watching the president greets the bereaved family members one by one. My son had participated in the war in Iraq and Afghanistan so when I saw the coffin land, I had felt the pain the fallen one’s parents would’ve felt.
One acquaintance of mine’s son went to the war in Afghanistan and had unfortunately passed away. The parent told me how they were consoled during this time. The young man’s name was Minsu. For them, the only son was Minsu himself. There are no words to describe when a parent receives of their beloved one’s death in battle. When his body was laid down in the national cemetery, the senator from their state along with the representative from their county and many of the police force, veteran’s came to tend the funeral. After sharing their pain, the parents say their hardened heart had thawed quite.
After the 9.11 tragedy while working as the superintendant I was visiting many places while the war on Iraq was raging. I saw many soldiers about in airplane. Many of the stewards helped the soldiers to relax as much as possible. If there was a space in the 1st class they were free to upgrade. Whenever there was an announcement to give salute to those who were boarding, the passengers would shout and send a thunderclap of hand claps.
There is one more beautiful side about consideration to soldiers. Many of the times, soldiers would eat at a restaurant while still in uniform. Most of times, someone else pays for their meal.
In sports, during break time soldiers who are viewing the game would be told to stand up so that people would salute and clap for their sacrifice. I wonder how the soldiers would feel when people give all these kind consideration in such way.
There is a reason why I write this in such a grand opening.
On the 24th of May, Sgt. Jong Geun Kim was killed by accident by the rope of the ship while disembarking from DDH-981 Cheonghae which was returning from action in Somalia for 6 months. He only had a month left until he was finished with his duties. In the crowd waiting for the return were his parents and his younger sister.
After his death, he was promoted to a staff sergeant, but during his funeral neither the president nor the prime minister attended. Only a small flower of consoling was sent. I do not know well but, several of the high ranking navy officers attended as well. But none of the president or his cabinet members had arrived. Just flowers, that’s it! In the picture many of the soldiers were crying and saluting for the fallen soldier. During that action in Somalia – where the sand blew on top of the ship, with 40 degree weather – serving for the country only to come home and fall in front of family… isn’t that what Sgt. Kim was?
Many people question about the way why our country’s leader does not come to such events. In the CheonAhn’s sinking, Yeonpyung Island battle’s anniversary was here but the president’s refusal to attend may have angered many people. Did the soldiers put their lives in line just to die in vain – that the president did not attend any of their funerals? Or would the president be like so if their own child was in this situation?
As if that was bad enough, South Korean feminine extreme group Womad (an online forum site) wrote negative comments about how Sgt. Choi looked and many other insults. How is it that such people are the same nationality as the soldier who had tragically passed away? It is very deplorable.
I had read an article recently that made my heart warm to end this.
On the 25th of May Mr. Heinz Perkins who was a Korean War veteran was buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Ohio. He was at a senior care center and passed away at the age of 90, but he did not have many acquaintances and his daughter lived 3,800km away in California. Because of her medical conditions, she could not attend her father’s funeral.
The care center in turn used social media with a back story to “please help and attend this service” – the next day, many thousands of people who had nothing to do with him had attended like a miracle! I was watching the soldiers who had long left service surrounding the coffin draped in the American flag. It was heartwarming.
The musicians from that area played “Amazing Grace” and bade him final farewell.
The director of Spring Grove Cemetery, Skip Phelps had said in CNN that “many have even driven 100s of miles away to tend to this funeral. It was unimaginable!” a person by the name of Strone said, “there were so many people calling to wish to attend the funeral that it was impossible to put the phone down!” How priceless and beautiful was that!
(May 30th, 2019) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Never Had I Experienced… 
Memorial Day