2010.06.28: RPCV Ed Reed writes: Troops' service in Korea not in vain

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Korea: Peace Corps Korea : Peace Corps Korea: Newest Stories: 2010.06.28: RPCV Ed Reed writes: Troops' service in Korea not in vain

By Admin1 (admin) (98.188.147.225) on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 - 12:13 pm: Edit Post

RPCV Ed Reed writes: Troops' service in Korea not in vain

RPCV Ed Reed writes: Troops' service in Korea not in vain

The reason I know something about Korea is that the Peace Corps sent me there in 1970 when I was only 23 years old. I was intrigued by the unique culture and the energy of the people, and I was angered by the division of the country and alarmed by the continuing danger of war. This led me to follow a career in international relations and development, and now I find myself back in Korea. From the headlines, you might think not much has changed here. But actually almost everything has changed. Most of the people of South Korea are living a comfortable life while they are also contributing to the development of other countries. And most are calm and confident in the confrontation with the North. It is really a revolutionary change from the country that our soldiers saw during the Korean War. What the Koreans have built is a fitting tribute to everyone who has assisted Korea along the way.

RPCV Ed Reed writes: Troops' service in Korea not in vain

Troops' service in Korea not in vain

Ed Reed

Published Monday, June 28, 2010

This July 25 will mark the 60th anniversary of North Korea's invasion of South Korea that ignited the three-year Korean War. Some one million Koreans died in that war and also tens of thousands of American and other allied soldiers fighting under the U.S. and United Nations flags. Recently I visited the Korean National War Memorial in Seoul where the names of every soldier who died in that war is inscribed. Among them are the names of 423 Mississippians, including several from Adams County. Thousands more served in Korea and returned with terrible memories of a cold, dangerous and desperately poor country. These included some of my own relatives.

But I can tell all of those Mississippians who served in Korea that their sacrifice of life, limb and peace of mind was not in vain. The war, though it ended in a stalemate, preserved the option for freedom and democracy on the Korean peninsula, and South Koreans have taken full advantage of that opportunity. Today South Korea has joined the ranks of the advanced economies and has a dynamic and robust democratic government. In fact, South Korea now sends volunteers and aid to developing countries that want to follow its lead. At the request of the American government, Korea has also sent troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, the only Asian country to do so. South Korea is America's strongest ally in Asia and one of our best friends in the world.

The recent sinking of a South Korean warship, apparently by North Korea, has shown the strength of our alliance, and it reminds us that the war has never completely ended. This tragic incident has also demonstrated the stark contrast between North Korea and America's ally in the South. In the North ordinary people are scrambling to find enough to eat. They are totally isolated from global society - no newspapers, no Internet, no TV or radio other than government stations. Meanwhile South Korea is a dynamic member of the world community. It is a leader in technology, manufacturing and of course sports, as demonstrated by the South Korean team's success at the World Cup games in South Africa.

The reason I know something about Korea is that the Peace Corps sent me there in 1970 when I was only 23 years old. I was intrigued by the unique culture and the energy of the people, and I was angered by the division of the country and alarmed by the continuing danger of war. This led me to follow a career in international relations and development, and now I find myself back in Korea.

From the headlines, you might think not much has changed here. But actually almost everything has changed. Most of the people of South Korea are living a comfortable life while they are also contributing to the development of other countries. And most are calm and confident in the confrontation with the North. It is really a revolutionary change from the country that our soldiers saw during the Korean War. What the Koreans have built is a fitting tribute to everyone who has assisted Korea along the way.

Ed Reed is a 1964 graduate of Cathedral High School. Since 2004 he has been the Country Representative in Korea for The Asia Foundation. A complete list of the Mississippians who gave their lives in the Korean War can be found at http://www.archives.gov/research/korean-war/casual ty-lists/ms-alpha.pdf.




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: June, 2010; Peace Corps Korea; Directory of Korea RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Korea RPCVs; Military; Speaking Out; Mississippi





When this story was posted in July 2010, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers RSS Feed

 Site Index Search PCOL with Google Contact PCOL Recent Posts Bulletin Board Open Discussion RPCV Directory Register

May 12, 2010: PC Returns to Colombia Date: May 12 2010 No: 1434 May 12, 2010: PC Returns to Colombia
Colombia Program restarts after 30 Year Absence 11 May
Karen Smith works in Afghanistan and Sudan 24 Apr
Kevin Bubriski began photographing Nepal in 1975 24 Apr
Mark Lenzi writes: Can Poland get past the 'curse'? 14 Apr
Aaron Williams visits Jordan 13 Apr
Committee passes Dodd's Peace Corps Bill 13 Apr
NPCA's Africa Rural Connect wins Award 13 Apr
Brian Kuhn among Scientists on Ancestor Find 12 Apr
Melanie Edwards gathers data on "invisible poor" 12 Apr
Johnnie Carson writes: Africa Policy Under Obama 7 Apr
Be Part Of New Film About The Peace Corps 30 Mar
Chief of Staff encourages PCVs to serve third year 29 Mar
Williams Testifies on Vision for Future of Peace Corps 18 Mar
Heath Lowry teaches Turkish Studies at Princeton 14 Mar
Torkin Wakefield created "Bead for Life" in Uganda 14 Mar
Parents of Murdered PCV Speak Out 12 Mar
Village in Kenya Erects Monument to Megan DaPisa 10 Mar
Frank Swoboda at World Food Prize HQ 10 Mar
Ashley Bates reports from Gaza 4 Mar
Joe Zenisek started Share the Love 10 years ago 28 Feb
Peter Hessler publishes "Country Driving" 25 Feb
Stacia and Kristof Nordin call Malawi home 22 Feb

Feb 10, 2010: Senator Dodd to Retire Date: February 19 2010 No: 1433 Feb 10, 2010: Senator Dodd to Retire
Dodd retires from Senate 6 Jan
Cameron Hume named US Ambassador to Pakistan 8 Feb
Florida RPCVs sponsor Everglades Experience 6 Feb
Jeff Hall brings aid to Sierra Leone 1 Feb
Peace Corps to reach 11,000 PCVs in 2016 1 Feb
Hugh Pickens writes: Standing Bear Looks to the Future 27 Jan
Ann Varghese survives 55 hours in Haiti rubble 26 Jan
John Guy LaPlante at 80 was oldest PCV 17 Jan
Steve Radelet to advise Hilary Clinton on Development 15 Jan
Obituary for Co-Author of ‘The Ugly American' 14 Jan
Peace Corps Establishes Program in Indonesia 11 Dec
What Happened to Obama's Promise? 3 Dec
George Packer writes: Obama's Troubles 24 Nov
PC Mourns Loss of Morocco PCV So-Youn Kim 17 Nov
Peace Corps volunteers return to Madagascar 16 Nov
PC to grow by several thousand over next 2 years 15 Nov
Former Hostage John Limbert named to Iran Bureau 11 Nov
Carrie Hessler Radelet named PC Deputy Director 9 Nov
Garamendi Sworn into Congress 9 Nov
Jesse Lonergan writes graphic novel "Joe and Azat" 4 Nov
David Macaray writes: Hearts and Minds in Afghanistan 29 Oct
Dustin Hogenson writes: Sauna in Kazakstan 26 Oct


Memo to Incoming Director Williams Date: August 24 2009 No: 1419 Memo to Incoming Director Williams
PCOL has asked five prominent RPCVs and Staff to write a memo on the most important issues facing the Peace Corps today. Issues raised include the independence of the Peace Corps, political appointments at the agency, revitalizing the five-year rule, lowering the ET rate, empowering volunteers, removing financial barriers to service, increasing the agency's budget, reducing costs, and making the Peace Corps bureaucracy more efficient and responsive. Latest: Greetings from Director Williams

Join Us Mr. President! Date: June 26 2009 No: 1380 Join Us Mr. President!
"We will double the size of the Peace Corps by its 50th anniversary in 2011. And we'll reach out to other nations to engage their young people in similar programs, so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity," said Barack Obama during his campaign. Returned Volunteers rally and and march to the White House to support a bold new Peace Corps for a new age. Latest: Senator Dodd introduces Peace Corps Improvement and Expansion Act of 2009 .



Read the stories and leave your comments.








Some postings on Peace Corps Online are provided to the individual members of this group without permission of the copyright owner for the non-profit purposes of criticism, comment, education, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and they may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner. Peace Corps Online does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the postings, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.

Story Source: Natchez Democrat

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Korea; Military; Speaking Out

PCOL45720
88


Add a Message


This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Username:  
Password:
E-mail: