May 15, 2005
Dear Fellow Marines & friends,
Well, my head is cleared up (jet lag) enough for me to begin writing my experiences of my trip to Korea for 13 days.
It definitely was an overwhelming experience. From the time the plane landed at Inchoen International Airport till we, thirteen Korean War veterans, some with wives, re-boarded for the flight home, it continued. It really began when I boarded the 777-200 Boeing airliner of Korean Airlines. The Korean stewardesses always had a smile on their (pretty) faces and the service was beyond belief. The first thing that happened was they brought me a cool wipe to clean my hands and face with. Next came the peanuts and a drink. I had assumed that I would have to pay for any booze I drank so I figured on outsmarting the high costs by bringing a few little bottles filled with my favorite scotch aboard. Then found out any drink I wanted was free. Shortly thereafter the food arrived and it was very good. Later drinks came around again and another round of food was brought. The flight going took 14 & ˝ hours and returning was only 12 hours. Several of us congregated close to the galley to BS and pass the time and while there, we could get sandwiches and drinks.
The Inchoen airport is a thoroughly modern airport and is beautiful and functional, as was EVERYTHING I encountered in Korea. Korea has sense enough not to “Band-Aid” the roads, buildings, sheer sides of the roadways, etc. On the sheer sides of the roads, they install a green heavy plastic perforated sheet and soon thereafter the grass, etc. starts growing and erosion is solved. This amazed me. Nearly every patch of ground close to the highways was planted with trees & flowers of every kind and description and the highways (and most streets) were kept immaculately clean. I saw absolutely nothing of the old Korea I once knew till we got to Panmunjom and saw a couple of old outposts (from afar) that I had spent time on. Also N. Korea looks exactly the same – crappy, old and decrepit.
The Korean people were also different than I remembered. My prior experience of a Korean was one of thinking that they were considerably backward but a hard worker and somewhat ingenuous. At that time, I was probably correct in that assumption but I guarantee you that my perception has changed. They are very hard working, still very ingenious (witness Samsung, Kia, Daewoo, etc.), absolutely honest (4 times I overpaid and was immediately handed back the overpayment) and the biggest surprise of all was their driving skills and friendliness. They are a hard-charging people but I only heard 2-3 horn honks in ALL our excursions. If a driver needs to change lanes, he signals and can change almost immediately. This also amazed me. In Dallas, some assholes won’t even let you enter the freeway.
Our days and evenings were filled with banquets, luncheons and even a few breakfasts; all hosted by Governors, The Korean Marine Corps, The KSC Corps, The USO, The Second Infantry Division, The Korean War Veterans Association. We were all given numerous gifts, including a beautiful tie, a tie clasp and cuff links set from Samsung, A Korean fan, a complete high-quality manicure set, a bottle of wine, Two Letters of Commendation acknowledging our contribution to saving South Korea, two Medals, a ceremonial/good luck small drum set plus numerous other pamphlets, DVD’s about the different area’s we were in.
The acknowledgement Banquets, etc., were consistently on one theme; “THANKS” to each and every one of us for saving them and making this way of life available for them and their families to be able to grow up and thrive and prosper in a democracy. It was an experience that will be remembered forever. I was really touched by their continuing acknowledgments from the heart. On the day we left, the manager of the Hamilton Hotel boarded our bus to say goodbye and to thank us for staying with him. But he also had to tell us his story. His parents managed to get into Korea in the winter of 1951, thus he was born. He said that he would not have been born in North Korea. In a heart-felt presentation, he wanted us to know how much he appreciated us making his life available to him. Several of us cried; I darn sure did.
Another big difference I saw was the children. The ones I saw in 1952 were from an orphanage and there was no aliveness or joy whatsoever in their hearts. Their transformation was overwhelming. EVERY child I saw had a look of joy and happiness. They all wanted to say “hello” and to talk a little with us, so they could practice their English and they were excited that we could communicate. I had my picture taken dozens of times, because many of the children had their own cell phones and many of those could take pictures. I also took 454 pictures while in Korea, and a heck of a lot of those were of school kids. I passed out many of our E27 website cards and told the kids that their pics would show up on the site.
Four of us from Easy Co. made the trip. Harry Smart, Chuck Tidwell, Harry Levitt (and Peg) and myself. We generally hung out together and put everybody else through many toasts to “EASY COMPANY”! In short, we had a heckuva lot of fun together.
I do have one observation that I feel necessary to report. Except for the 1st Marine Division Monument and Museum re the Inchon invasion (nothing about the U. S. Marines part in the taking of Seoul), there is damned little anywhere else about our participation in the war. At the Punchbowl, a Plaque did commemorate the Marines somewhat. Everywhere else and at all other sites, it seemed to me that the ROK Army, Korean Marine Corps and U.S. Army carried the entire load and won all the battles. I haven’t got over it yet.
I don’t believe anybody could have put together a better tour of Korea than Mr. Won Pak. He is a veteran of the war himself. He was in the KSC and was wounded by a Chinese soldier while carrying wounded soldiers to safety. He is loved and highly respected by all the Koreans that hosted our banquets, etc. It is unbelievable that we experienced so many events in the time frame we had. We also wore out our butts on the bus making all the events, but I would not take anything for the wonderful experiences that I had.
It is not the same old Korea we knew. There is no comparison whatsoever. My bad memories don’t seem as bad now. I actually feel that I contributed, in some small way to the success of a dynamic nation and I feel darned good about it (now). I hope all of you get some measurement of gratification just knowing that you are deeply appreciated by the Korean people. If you don’t believe me, DO NOT MISS the next trip going to Korea – The rest of your life will change forever and you will be glad you did. By the way, Mr. Pak will put together another trip next April (06) if enough (34) have an interest in going.
OUR DAILY ITINERARY AND MY REMEMBRANCES (as best as I can):
A 3 MAN KOREAN TELEVISION CREW ACCOMPANIED US FOR THE NEXT FIVE/SIX DAYS AND THE SHOW WILL BE TELEVISED ON JUNE 25TH IN KOREA. MR PAK THOUGHT THAT AMERICA COULD PICK IT UP ON CABLE OR SATELLITE CHANNELS. IF I FIND OUT EXACTLY WHICH, I’LL INFORM ALL. WE CALLED THEM PAPARAZZI BECAUSE THEY WERE EVERYWHERE WITH A CAMERA IN YOUR FACE WANTING TO ASK QUESTIONS OR TO OVERHEAR CONVERSATIONS – WE HAD THE USUAL CAMERA HOGS)
REVISIT KOREA TOUR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
DAY 01, SATURDAY APRIL 30
1235 hrs. Depart Dallas Int'l Airport by Korean Air KE#32 Non-Stop to Korea
DAY 02, SUNDAY MAY 01
1655 hrs. Arrive Incheon Int'l Airport. (ALL IN THE DAYLIGHT)
1800 hrs. Depart Incheon Int'l Airport – WE ALL GOT OUR BAGS AND BREEZED
THROUGH KOREAN IMMIGRATION/CUSTOM AND LOADED ONTO A BUS. I (AND EVERYBODY ELSE,
I’M SURE) WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE AIRPORT, ETC. AND THE ROADS/TRAFFIC, MASSIVE
NUMBER OF 20/30 STORY APT BUILDINGS THAT WERE AS NUMEROUS AS SINGLE FAMILY
DWELLINGS IN DALLAS (SEEMED LIKE). BUS DROVE ONTO A FERRY AND WE MADE THE TRIP
THROUGH THE HARBOR AND SAW THE AREA THAT OUR MARINES CAME ASHORE DURING THE
WAR. THEN WE WENT TO THE WAR MEMORIAL DEDICATED TO THE FIRST MARINE DIVISION.
THE MEMORIAL WAS AT THE TOP OF A REALLY HIGH HILL OVERLOOKING SEOUL. WE
DE-BOARDED AND WERE GREETED BY THE ROK ARMY BAND. WE LISTENED TO A COUPLE TUNES
AND THEN MADE THE CLIMB UP TO THE MONUMENT (AND IT WAS A HECKUVA CLIMB) THE
MUSEUM HAD A PANORAMA / RE-CREATION OF THE INCHON INVASION THAT WAS WELL DONE.
THE BAND PLAYED THE MARINE CORPS HYMN AND OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM AFTERWARDS.
Arrive Hamilton Hotel at Itaewon, Yongsan, Seoul at 1900 hrs. (IT
WAS CLOSER TO 2100 HOURS) WE FINALLY GOT TO THE HOTEL. BY THE TIME EVERYBODY
GOT UNLOADED AND BAGS TO OUR ROOMS AND UNPACKED, MOST OF US GRABBED A QUICK BITE
AND GOT INTO THE SACK. – I SAW DAYLIGHT FOR OVER 26 HOURS THAT LONG DAY.
DAY 03, MONDAY, MAY 2: DEPART HOTEL 0800 HRS: WE WENT TO THE
KOREAN WAR MUSEUM AND WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THE GROUNDS AND THE WAR-TIME
ARTIFACTS LIKE OLD PLANES, TANKS, FIELD ARTILLERY, MEMORIAL STATUES (MANY).
UNFORTUNATELY, THE MUSEUM WAS CLOSED. WE DID SEE HUNDREDS OF KOREAN SCHOOLKIDS
AND THEY ALL WANTED TO TALK TO US, GET THEIR PICTURES TAKEN AND TO TAKE OURS. I
TRULY WAS OVERWHELMED BY THEIR SPONTINAEITY, GOOD-NATURE, OBVIOUS HEALTH AND
JOYOUSNESS.
DAY 04, TUESDAY MAY 03
0830 hrs. Depart Hotel.
1030 hrs. Arrive Panmunjom / DMZ.
Briefing and Guided Tour of DMZ area and "BRIDGE OF NO RETURN". THIS
WAS THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE TRIP FOR ME. WE WERE BRIEFED VERY THOROUGHLY ABOUT
WHAT WE COULD DO AND NOT DO WHILE AT PANMUNJOM. ALSO RESTRICTIONS RE TAKING
PICTURES WERE EXPLAINED. IF WE TOOK ANY PICTURES ON THE ROAD TO PANMUNJOM
(AFTER LEAVING THE BRIEFING AREA), THERE WOULD BE A VERY GOOD CHANCE THAT THE
BUS WOULD BE STOPPED AND OUR CAMERA’S CONFISCATED. NOBODY DARED TO SEE IF THEY
WERE BLUFFING. I MISSED SEEING OUTPOST WHITE BUT DID SEE OP2 – IT IS NOW CALLED
“OUILETTE” . I REMEMBERED MANY A NIGHT ON THAT MISERABLE HILL AND THE MEMORIES
WERE DEEP AND MANY. I REMEMBERED THE DAYLIGHT PATROLS THAT WE MADE AND THE
NIGHTTIME PATROLS AND THE DAMNED MORTARS THAT FELL LIKE RAINDROPS FOR SEEMINGLY
FOREVER. I ALSO REMEMBERED ONE NIGHT SLEEPING IN A REAR BUNKER AND BEING
WAKENED TO GO ON WATCH. THE MARINE HAD TUGGED MY FOOT – WHEN I CAME TO MY
SENSES, I HAD A LOADED CARBINE POINTED DIRECTLY AT HIM. HE NEVER KNEW HOW CLOSE
HE CAME TO BEING SHOT. I GAVE A SILENT FERVENT PRAYER FOR ALL OUR BUDDIES WHO
WERE KIA IN KOREA AND FELT THEIR PRESENCE IN MY HEART WHILE PRAYING. I MISS THEM
TODAY AND I KNOW YOU DO TOO. THEN WE WENT DOWN INTO PANMUNJOM. IT WAS QUITE AN
EXPERIENCE SEEING THE N. KOREANS GUARDING ON THE N SIDE OF THE 38TH
PARALLEL. WHILE WE WERE IN THE BUILDING WHERE THE PEACE TALKS WERE HELD, A
NORTH KOREAN OFFICER CAME UP TO THE WINDOWS AND GLARED INTO THE ROOM – JUST
DARING ANYBODY TO GIVE HIM A ONE-FINGERED SALUTE OR ANY THING THAT MIGHT
PRECIPITATE AN INCIDENT. HE WENT TO BOTH SIDES AND STUCK HIS DAMNED UGLY FACE
UP TO THE WINDOW AND GLARED INTO OUR MIDST. JUST AS WE WERE LEAVING, SEVERAL
BUSLOADS OF N. KOREANS CAME TO THE SITE. WE HAD TWO POW’S THAT MADE THE TRIP
WITH US. JOSE A. HINOJOSA & BILLY BROWN. WE STOPPED BY THE BRIDGE THEY WALKED
OVER WHEN THEY WALKED INTO S. KOREA WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED. IT WAS QUITE A
TOUCHING SCENE. THE OFFICER THAT ESCORTED THEM SAID THAT IT WAS THE FIRST TIME
SINCE HE’D BEEN IN CHARGE THAT HE’D HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.
1230 hrs. Depart Panmunjom / DMZ Area
1315 hrs. Arrive Camp Red Cloud 2nd Inf. Div. HQ for Lunch and Tour 2ID Korean
War Museum.
THIS WAS A VERY INTERESTING EXPERIENCE. THE ARMY FOOD WAS EXCELLENT AND THE
OFFICER IN CHARGE WAS VERY INFORMATIVE.SEEING WHAT ALL THE MUSEUM AND WHAT THE
2ID DID IN KOREA DIDN’T REALLY APPEAL TO ME. TRUTHFULLY, I WAS STILL EMOTIONAL
FROM PANMUNJOM AND COULDN’T GET INTERESTED. THE AMERICAN BUFFET LUNCH WAS VERY
GOOD AND APPRECIATED BY ALL.
1515 hrs. Depart Camp Red Cloud
1700 hrs. Arrive Hotel
1830 hrs. Hotel Banquet Dinner reception in your Honor and presentation of
"AMBASSADOR FOR PEACE" Medal and "Official Certificate" Hosted by Korean
Veterans Association and Korea National Tourism Organization. (THIS WAS THE
FIRST OF MANY VERY GRATIFYING & HEALING TRIBUTES TO US FOR OUR CONTRIBUTION TO S
KOREA. THE FOOD WAS EXCELLENT.
DAY 05, WEDNESDAY MAY 04
0830 hrs. Depart hotel
1030 hrs. Arrive Cheorwon/Ginhea (Punchbowl & Iron Triangle Battle Area).
Briefing and Guided Tour by ROK Army.
1230 hrs. Korean War Veterans Appreciation Lunch reception by City Mayor.(NOW
THIS WAS ANOTHER GREAT EXPERIENCE. WE ALL ATE KOREAN STYLE, IE., WE SAT ON THE
FLOOR AND MANAGED TO STICK OUR LEGS UNDER THE LITTLE TABLE AND STILL EAT. WE
OUGHTA GOT A MEDAL FOR THAT ALONE. BUT THEY ALSO PUT SEVERAL BOTTLES OF SOME
KIND OF KOREAN BRANDY ON THE TABLE AND I GUARANTEE YOU, EASY COMPANY WAS TOASTED
MANY TIMES AND WHEN LEAVING, WE GRABBED UP A FEW MORE BOTTLES AND CONTINUED
TOASTING CHESTY, EASY, KOREA AND GOD KNOWS WHO/WHAT ELSE.
1400 hrs. Continued to Tour Battle Area Guided by ROK Army. MY
MEMORY IS SOMEWHAT DIMMED ABOUT THIS PART OF THE TRIP. I DO REMEMBER THE
TOWERING MOUNTAINS AND THE ROADS AND THE “REST STOPS” THAT WERE FULL-FLEDGED
COMMERCIAL AREAS AND ALWAYS HAD HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE/CARS/BUSSES STOPPED AND
EATING, TINKLING, ETC. THEY HAD FRENCH-FRIED SWEET POTATO STICKS, SMALL BOILED
IRISH POTATOES THAT WERE EXCELLENT, PEANUT BUTTER FRIED SQUID THAT I “TRIED” TO
EAT – ONCE, PLUS ICE CREAM, CANNED COFFEE IN THREE VARIETIES, BLACK, BLACK WITH
SUGAR, AND WITH CREAM AND SUGAR. HOT OR COLD. ALSO THEY HAD ON-SITE COOKIES
THAT WERE BEING MADE ON THE SPOT THAT YOU COULD BUY AND EAT. NEARLY EVERYBODY
BOUGHT SOMETHING EXOTIC OR DIFFERENT AND SHARED WITH THE OTHERS WHEN THEY
RE-BOARDED THE BUS.
1600 hrs. Depart Iron Triangle Battle area. I THINK THIS IS THE TIME-FRAME
THAT WE WENT TO VISIT THE 2200 METER TUNNEL THAT KOREA FOUND THAT WAS BEING DUG
THROUGH THE MOUNTAIN (ONE OF FOUR THAT THE N KOREANS WERE DIGGING). IT WAS VERY
INTERESTING AND NEARLY ALL WENT, I DIDN’T GO – DON’T LIKE TUNNELS.
1800 hrs. Arrive Hotel and Free time(ANOTHER BIG JOKE – TWEREN’T ANY FREE TIME
BUT WE (4 EASY CO MARINES) MANAGED TO FIND, COMPLIMENTS OF HARRY SMART, A DARN
GOOD BAR, “THE SEOUL CLUB, ACROSS THE STREET. I THINK WE ATE CHINESE TONIGHT AT
THE “HO LEE CHOW” RESTAURANT. FOOD WAS GOOD BUT EXPENSIVE, AS WAS EVERYTHING,
BECAUSE OF THE DOLLARS LOSS AGAINST THE YEN AND WON.
DAY 06, THURSDAY MAY 05
0830 hrs. Checkout and Depart Hotel at 0900 Hrs.
1400 hrs. Arrive 5 STAR Kangwon Land Casino Hotel, Here you will enjoy
Excitement Las Vegas style shows from world. Include three
meals(THE DINNER RAN OVER AND WE MISSSED THE LAS VEGAS STYLE SHOW) a day.
Alcoholic beverages are on your own. (WE DID THOROUGHLY ENJOY THE THREE AMERICAN
OR KOREAN STYLE FOOD FREE MEALS A DAY, ESPECIALLY BREAKFAST AND THE HOTEL WAS AS
NICE AS ANY IN VEGAS. I MEAN IT, IT WAS FANTASTIC!! I TRIED TO GAMBLE THE
FIRST NIGHT BUT THAT WAS A JOKE, THE KOREANS WERE STANDING THREE DEEP AT EVERY
BLACKJACK TABLE AS WELL AS NEARLY ALL THE OTHER TABLES SUCH AS BACCARAT AND
ROULETTE. WENT TO BED. BY THE WAY, ALL THE BEDS WERE TWIN SIZE AND HARD AS
HELL (AT LEAST FOR ME – I’M USED TO SLEEPING ON A KING SIZE BED AND HAVE A THREE
INCH TEMPURPEDIC FOAM MATTRESS PAD ON IT) BUT IN FINALLY GOT USED TO IT SOMEWHAT
AND MANAGED TO GET “SOME” SLEEP. BY THE WAY, HARRY SMART WAS MY ROOMMATE AND
HE NEVER COMPLAINED AT ANY TIME ABOUT ANYTHING, HE DID HAVE A COUPLE COMMENTS
ABOUT THE CAMERA HOGS, AS DID I. THIS WAS HIS THIRD TRIP. IT WAS NICE HAVING
SOMEONE WHO KNEW THEIR WAY AROUND. HE STILL USES A FORK, THOUGH.
1800 hrs. Welcome to the "Korean War Veteran Heroes" appreciation dinner
Reception by Korean National Congressman, City Mayor, Police
Chief,
President of Kangwon Land Hotel, and many other Korean Officials.
2100 hrs Enjoy Night club Show! Show! Show! (THE DINNER RECEPTION AND THE
FOOD WAS BEYOND MY COMPREHENSION. MR PATRICK KIM, (7 MILLION KIM’S IN KOREA IN
A 24 MILLION POPULATION) SAT AT OUR TABLE AND WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL EXPLAINING
HOW TO EAT THE FOOD AND ANSWERING ANY QUESTION WE HAD FOR HIM. HE TALKED BETTER
ENGLISH THAN I DO. THE FLOOR SHOW CONSISTED OF SEVEN BEAUTIFUL YOUNG KOREAN
LADY DANCERS IN KOREAN FOLK DRESS. IT WAS VERY BEAUTIFUL. AFTERWARDS, I WENT
BACK TO THE CASINO AND FOUND A SEAT AT A ROULETTE TABLE AND PLAYED MY FOUR
NUMBERS (4, 7, 8 & 22) AND WON “WON” 160,000 OR $160 AMERICAN DOLLARS. THAT WAS
FUN AND HELPED MY BANKROLL. ALSO SEVERAL OTHERS WON AT THE SLOTS.
DAY 07, FRIDAY MAY 06
0730 - 0845 hrs. Breakfast and Check-out Hotel
0900 hrs. Depart Kangwon Land Casino Hotel. (I PERSONALLY LOVED THIS HOTEL AND
REGRETTED HAVING TO LEAVE)
1330 hrs. Arrive Daegu VIA Jechoen and Battle Area.
1345 hrs. Check-in 5 Star "Hotel Inter-Burgo (Deluxe Spanish style.)
1415 hrs. Tour Nakdong river, Chilgok and Waegwan Battle Combat Area and
The largest Monument of the Korean War in Korea (OUT OF HUNDREDS!) ;
Honoring those Brave men and women who sacrificed courage and
commitment that fought
and died defending and protecting the freedom of the Republic of
Korea
during the war. THIS WAS A VERY MOVING EXPERIENCE. THE NAMES OF
EVERY KOREAN KILLED FROM THIS COMMUNITY IN THE KOREAN WAR AND THE VIETNAM WAR
WAS LISTED IN A ROOM BEHIND THE MONUMENT. A LIGHT RAIN WAS FALLING AND AS I WAS
DESCENDING SLOWLY DOWN THE STEPS, TWO KOREAN WOMEN WALKED BY ME WITH AN
UMBRELLA, ONE OF THEM NOTICED ME AND IMMEDIATELY CAME BACK AND PUT THE UMBRELLA
OVER MY HEAD. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT I WAS ENJOYING THE RAIN BUT SHE INSISTED
ON KEEPING ME COVERED. SHE, IN VERY BROKEN ENGLISH, ASKED IF I FOUGHT IN THE
KOREAN WAR. I TOLD HER I DID. WITH TEARS IN HER EYES AND HER VOICE BREAKING,
SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS A “KOREAN” AND THANKED ME FOR HER “KOREA”. FOR ME,
THAT PROFUSE SINCERE “THANK YOU” MADE MY WHOLE KOREAN WAR EXPERIENCE
WORTHWHILE. YOU GUYS NEED TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE DEEPLY LOVED AND APPRECIATED BY
A HUGE MAJORITY OF THE KOREAN POPULATION.
1830 Hrs. The Korean War Veterans Appreciation Dinner reception
Hosted by City
Mayor and many other Officials. THIS WAS AN ESPECIALLY FINE EVENT. A
BEAUTIFUL KOREAN LADY WAS INTERPRETER. HERE WE WERE PRESENTED A TIE MADE IN THE
AREA AND A CEREMONIAL DRUM SET (SMALL) PLUS PUBLICATIONS AND CD’S.DVD’S ABOUT
THE AREA.
DAY 08, SATURDAY MAY 07
0730 - 0830 hrs. Breakfast at Hotel Hosted by Korean Officials
0900 hrs. Depart Inter-Burgo Hotel
1200 hrs. Arrive Geoje-do, former POW Camp. VIA Masan-Changwon.
1215 hrs. Check-in Hotel and break for Lunch.
1330 hrs. Depart Hotel Tour POW Camp Briefing and Guided by city Officials.
1500 hrs. Depart POW Camp and Tour Geoje-do Area Guided by City Officials.
1700 hrs. Return to Hotel.
1830 hrs. The Korean War Veterans Appreciation Dinner reception Hosted by
City Mayor and many other Officials.
DAY 09, SUNDAY MAY 08
0730 - 0830 hrs. Breakfast at Hotel and Check-out
0930 hrs. Depart Geoje-do
1030 hrs. Arrive Pohang and had lunch with a KMC Amphibious Battalion. THIS
WAS ALSO A VERY GREAT EXPERIENCE. I FELT RIGHT AT HOME WITH THE KOREAN
MARINES. THEY DEFINITELY ARE OUR BROTHERS IN ARMS. HARRY TRADED COVERS WITH A
YOUNG MSGT AND HE SAID THAT IF WE NEEDED ANYTHING, LET HIM KNOW. I NEEDED “AA”
BATTERIES FOR MY CAMERA AND ASKED IF HE COULD FIND ME A COUPLE. HE HAD A GRUNT
STANDING RIGHT BEHIND HIM AND SPOKE A COUPLE WORDS AND THE GUY LEFT LIKE A
STREAK OF LIGHTNING AND WAS BACK IN 45 SECONDS WITH THE BATTERIES. WE WERE ALL
IMPRESSED. WE ATE AT THE MESS HALL AND FOOD WAS EXCELLENT. THEN WE ALL SAT
THROUGH AN AMPHIBIOUS TANK TROOP CARRIER PRESENTATION AND WENT ON AN RIDE ON THE
OPEN AIR “DUCKS” THAT WENT OUT ONTO THE BEACH FOR ABOUT A TWO MILE RIDE – THAT
WAS REALLY GREAT AND EVERYBODY ENJOYED IT THOROUGHLY.
THEN WE WENT TO ROK KMC MARINE HEADQUARTERS AND SAW THE KMC DRILL TEAM PUT ON A GREAT SHOW FOR US. ALL THE WHILE LISTENING TO THE KMC BAND PLAY MARCHING MUSIC. LATER WE WENT TO THE KMC PX AND SEVERAL OF US BOUGHT “STUFF’ LIKE KMC EMBLEMS, PATCHES, ETC AND I BOUGHT ANOTHER KMC CARRY BAG, WITH ALL THE ATTENDANT KMC EMBLEMS AND WORDING ON IT, (FOR ALL THE PRESENTS THAT I WAS BEING GIVEN)
2030 hrs. Arrive Hamilton Hotel, Check-in Free time
DAY 10, MAY 09
WE BOARDED THE BUS AND WENT TO SAMSUNG TODAY. SAMSUNG HAD PROVIDED THE BUS AND A REALLY GREAT DRIVER FOR THE ENTIRE TIME WE WERE THERE (WE TOOK UP A GIFT COLLECTION FOR HIM AND NEARLY HAD TO FIGHT HIM TO GET HIM TO TAKE IT). THEY HAVE OVER 20,000 PEOPLE WORKING AT THIS MAIN PLANT AND WE TOURED THE CLEAN ROOM AREA WHERE THEY ASSEMBLE THE MICROCHIPS,ETC. THEN ATE IN THE MAIN CAFETERIA WHERE THEY FEED 3,000 PER HOUR. WE GET TO SIT DOWN AND WERE SERVED BY HOSTESSES. AGAIN, THE FOOD WAS EXCEPTIONAL. THEN WE HAD COFFEE AND SAW FILM ON SAMSUNG AND ITS OPERATIONS. WE ALSO GOT A TOUR OF THE LATEST NEW PRODUCTS THEY HAVE. SOME ARE BEING SOLD IN KOREA TODAY. VERY IMPRESSIVE. AFTERWARDS, WE BOARDED THE BUS AND WENT TO THE “KOREAN FOLK VILLAGE”. YEP, KOREA KEPT A SEMBLANCE OF THEIR HERITAGE AND MADE IT INTO A TOURIST ATTRACTION – AND THOUSANDS SEE IT EVERY DAY. JUST THINK, WE SAW IT FIFTY+ YEARS AGO FOR FREE. THREE OF US SAT IT OUT – MY FEET/KNEES WERE REBELLING AFTER ALL THE WALKING AND CLIMBING/COMING BACK DOWN THE STEPS EVERYWHERE WE WENT. CHUCK AND HARRY AND I WENT BACK TO THE CLUB TONIGHT AND TOASTED EASY CO A FEW MORE TIMES.
DAY 11, MAY 10
A FREE DAY – FINALLY. AFTER I SPENT HOURS (SEEMS LIKE) REPACKING EVERYTHING, CHUCK AND HARRY SMART & I WENT BACK TO THE KOREAN WAR MUSEUM SINCE IT WAS CLOSED THE FIRST TIME. IT PROVED TO BE VERY WORTHWHILE. IN AN ADJACENT HALL, THE NAMES OF EVERY SOLDIER/MARINE AND THE STATE THEY WERE FROM ARE LISTED IN BRONZE. WE SPENT SEVERAL MINUTES TRYING TO REMEMBER ALL OUR BUDDIES WHO WERE KIA AND THEN FINDING THEIR NAMES. I TOOK A COUPLE PICS BEFORE WE WENT INSIDE AND TOURED THE HUGE BUILDING. THE MUSEUM HAS INFO ON ALL THE WARS FOUGHT IN/OVER KOREA AND A SPECIAL SECTION ON THE KOREAN WAR ALONE THAT IS HUGE. AGAIN, HUNDREDS OF KOREAN SCHOOLCHILDREN WERE THERE AND WANTED TO CONVERSE AND TAKE OUR PICTURES. WE REALLY WERE IMPRESSED WITH EVERYTHING WE SAW. IT WAS VERY WELL DONE.
0900 hrs. Depart Hotel Tour Namsan Park/Seoul Tower Observatory Seoul City WE
WENT TO THE OBSERVATORY BUT THE TOWER WAS CLOSED. IT WAS A GREAT VIEW OF THE
CITY AND AGAIN HUNDREDS OF SCHOOL KIDS WERE THERE AND IT WAS ANOTHER GREAT
EXPERIENCE.
1100 hrs. Depart Namsan Park/Seoul Tower
1130 hrs. Arrive USO at Yongsan and Break for Lunch. THIS WAS FUN. GETTING TO
EAT A HAMBURGER OR A HAMBURGER STEAK, FRENCH FRIES, ETC. WE MET A YOUNG LADY
FROM IOWA WHO HAD LIVED, WITH HER HUSBAND IN KOREA FOR SIX YEARS AND LOVED IT.
MANY ANGLO PEOPLE WHO WERE IN KOREA WERE FROM CANADA OR S AFRICA AND WERE
EMPLOYED AS ENGLISH TEACHERS. (ONE FELLOW TOLD US HE WORKED 16 HOURS A WEEK AND
WAS PAID $24,000 PER YEAR AND MADE ANOTHER $2,000 PER MONTH GIVING PRIVATE
LESSONS)
1630 hrs. Arrive Hotel Free time
DAY 11. TUESDAY MAY 10
1010 hrs. Depart Hotel
1100 hrs. Arrive Changdeokgung Palace (NOW THIS WAS QUITE A PLACE. VERY OLD
BUILDINGS IN THEIR ORIGINAL STATE. (SEE THE PICS)
Tour excitement 500 years history of "Joseon (Yi)
Dynasty.
1400 hrs. Return to Hotel and Free time, Enjoy yourself; shopping and
sightseeing on your own.
DAY 12, WEDNESDAY MAY 11
Enjoy your self. Free time for shopping and sightseeing
on your own
DAY 13, THURSDAY MAY 12 (LET'S GO HOME! IT'S ABOUT TIME!)
0830 hrs. Depart Hotel (check-out)
0945 hrs. Arrive Incheon Int'l Airport
1130 hrs. Depart Incheon Int'l Airport by Korean Air Flight #31
1015 hrs. Arrive Dallas Texas Int'l Airport
THERE WERE SEVERAL MORE DINNERS/PLACES THINGS WE DID THAT I JUST CAN’T GET INTO THEIR PROPER PLACE/DATE/TIME SO I AM FORWARDING WHAT I HAVE NOW AS I HAVE PUT THIS OFF LONG ENOUGH GETTING IT READY.
TROY WATSON
MAY 19, 2005