It used to be that way with the Philippines, for the US having liberated them in WW II from the brutal Japanese occupation. But the generational memory of that wasn’t passed on like it was in Korea. Japan was pacified and was no longer a threat, so the Philippines didn’t have a constant reminder like South Korea had.

The Soviet Union armed the North with T-34 tanks and trained 90,000 troops in secret preparation for an invasion of the South. It was June 25, 1950 when the well-equipped and comparatively massive NKPA (North Korean People’s Army), under Soviet direction, swarmed across the imaginary border and with a few weeks had overrun Seoul and half of the lower peninsula. Harry Truman almost immediately ordered General MacArthur to use the forces in his command to aid the South. I was awaiting discharge from the army as my 24-month enlistment was about up.

Discharges were immediately frozen and after special training in mines and booby traps, I “joined” an Engineering Intelligence Team headed for Korea. I saw much of the peninsula, with even a short and unwelcomed stay in Pyongyang. Because of my early arrival in the war zone, I was among the first to be “rotated” stateside and my discharge was effective just three years after my 1948 enlistment date. I saw only one evidence of LDS presence when we were temporarily camped near an air base and heard of a group that met there occasionally. I attended one Sacrament Meeting – Many Air Force officers and a few enlisted men.

This experience was a distant memory until November 2003 when my grandson departed for the Seoul West Mission. In an unbelievable twist of fate, his older sister received her call six months later to the same mission. Her parents called the Missionary Department to make sure it wasn’t a mistake. Their missions ended the same day and their parents traveled to Seoul to accompany them home. During their short stay their, my son, his wife and the two missionaries had dinner with one of the bishops and his family. My son mentioned my service in the country long ago. The bishop, a veteran of the South Korean army during the war, couldn’t get over it and expressed his gratitude for the Americans giving service to keep their land free. Hearing those expressions quickly erased the bad memories of mud, cold, K-rations and general discomfort I grudgingly endured during my tour. I wish all those who suffered more injury than me in that war could hear what was related to me.

And I enjoyed reading some of President Hinckley’s own words; his witty comments about a Chinese wedding made me smile. Also, I note that his habit of using “of” before nouns evidently didn’t start when he was in the First Presidency:

“The Korean people have seen so much of sorrow”

and

“These people have seen so much of war and suffering.”

Thanks to Ardis for letting all us readers enjoy so much of drama, and so much of excitement, through these posts. [wink] Love it.

I don’t know how this got posted with the comments turned off. They’re on now, if anybody wants to come back and say anything. Sorry.