Return to Korea 2003

Return to South Korea 2003

During July of 2003 Captain Leonard (Shifty) Shifflette, USMC Retired made a "return" visit to Korea and wrote this report on his travels. Webmaster's note: Shifty and I served together in Rochester, NY 1963-1966. Our families enjoyed our times together and still enjoy looking back.

As I prepared these pages and viewed these photos, my thoughts go back to the way it was in September 1950. ~~~~gene dixon

LAND OF THE MORNING CALM – KOREA-50TH Anniversary of the Signing of the Armistice 27 July 2003
I had an opportunity to revisit the land that all of us at one time or another walked the trails, climb the mountains and lived off the land, so to speak. Flying out of Dulles International Wednesday the 23rd of July on a wide body 777 for a through flight to Incheon-Seoul Airport arriving on Thursday the 24th, where the people of Korea greeted us with much enthusiasm. We were billeted in a marvelous 22-story hotel Lotte, not like the foxholes and bunkers that we might remember! You might say that we were treated like royalty! The chow was much better than the “C” Rats that we lived on, if you can remember what they were like? And it was always plentiful and available!

On Friday, we visited the National Cemetery where we had the opportunity to lay a wreathe in honor of all the falling heroes. After which, we toured the War Memorial. They have all the names of all the fallen heroes inscribed on bronze plaques from all the countries that had military personnel there during the Korean War. I found several Marines’ names that I remembered during my tour. That evening, the USO held a banquet in our honor with Doctor Henry Kessinger as guest speaker. After the program members of the Federation of Korean Industries, the organization that sponsored our trip to Korea, presented us a medal from the Korean People.

On Saturday the 26th we toured a Korean Folk Village, which is what we would remember about life in Korea when we were there. Lunch was at a local Korean Restaurant. After that we toured the Seoul Tower, which is 777 feet high. It allowed us to view the city of Seoul and the Han River with its 22 bridges. That evening we were treated to a cook out hosted by the United Nations and the Staff of the U. N. Military Command.

On Sunday the 27th we went to Panmunjom for the Armistice Signing Commemoration. The guest speaker was Right Honorable Helen Elizabeth Clark, New Zealand’s Prime Minister and General PAEK, Sun Yup, who served as ROK Army Division, Corps Commander and Chief of Staff during the Korean War. Both spoke to us about Korea during the years of 1950 through 1953 and what Korea has accomplished since the war. General Leon J. La PORTE U.S. Army Commander of the United Nations Command and U. S. Combined Forces introduced the speakers after a short talk. A Monument was unveiled for the 50th Anniversary of the Signing of the Armistices at the DMZ. During the luncheon we had the opportunity to visit the building where the armistice signing took place and I stepped over the line into North Korea. This was not the first time for me since I was there during my tour of duty in1951. That evening we revisited the Battle Field and Memorial Monument where ROH, moo-hyun, President of South Korea, spoke along with other dignitaries. Another monument was unveiled to honor all the service men and women who fought, especially for those who gave their all. Large balloons were released allowing us to view this new addition to the Korean War Memorial Park. A buffet was served in an adjacent hall featuring mostly Korean food.

On Monday the 28th, a trip was arranged for those who wanted to visit the Memorial Hall for Incheon (Korean spelling) Landing Opera-tions. We had the opportunity to see the sea walls and mud flats that our troops had to encounter when landing. Cemetery Hill, another landmark during the landing, was in the background. That evening The Federation of Korean Industries provided a farewell dinner with all veterans in attendance. Chairman SON, Kil-Seung, of FKI, gave the welcoming address. The featured speaker was the Honorable YOON, Young-Kwan, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade and General Leon J. La PORTE, U. S. Army, Commander, United Nations Command. Rudy Hernandez USA (Ret), holder of the MOH, spoke concerning his tour of duty in Korea and Vietnam. There was a toast to all Korean War Veterans with a musical tribute to our Fallen Heroes. After dinner a special video presentation of the Korean War was shown.

Tuesday the 29th, we boarded a wide body 777 at the Incheon-Seoul Airport for our flight back to Washington-Dulles International and the good old US of A. To me, this was an opportunity of a lifetime and I am proud to have served our Country and Corps during this War. I will always remember the kindness and honors bestowed on all of us. It was reported that there were 12,500 there for this celebration with the FKI funding over 2 million dollars for this commemoration. Semper Fi! “Shifty”

To view a few photos of this journey continue by clicking on "NEXT"

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