Recently in Texas,
the temperatures
have been in the 60s and
70s. We have had very
little winter this year. Even though I don’t
like really cold weather, I miss crisp mornings,
which we have not had many of this
year. But, as you read this, springtime will
be in full bloom once again, and we can feel
the revival of the good things on this earth.
National election fever continues to be in
the air as we approach November and wonder
who will be our new president and vice
president for the next four years. KWVA
members have the same thoughts, as we will
be installing a new president, 2 vice presidents
and 4 new directors. I cannot stress
enough the need for every member to vote.
Voting will close on May 10th, shortly after
you receive this. If you haven’t voted, please
send in your ballot from the January-
February 2016 issue with your selection.
My most exciting news since the past
issue is a trip to Washington DC on February
24th, when several of us visited with
Director Michael Linnington and a few of
his staff with the Defense POW/MIA
Accounting Agency (DPAA). Executive
Director Jim Fisher, MIA/POW Liaison
Bruce Harder, Secretary Lew Ewing,
KWVA Director of Communications Fred
Lash, Wall of Remembrance Foundation VP
Rick Dean, and I represented the KWVA.
Our liaison, Bruce Harder, who worked several
years with the agency prior to his retirement
in 2015, coordinated and arranged this
visit. Bruce, an efficient, hard worker, has
been an invaluable addition to our staff.
The intent was to get information on the
agency’s latest efforts to recover remains
from Korea and to establish a strong line of
communication with them for future contact.
We were welcomed warmly and had a
very fruitful conversation. Director
Linnington, a West Point graduate, Class
1980, who served three tours in Korea,
retired in early 2015 as a Lt. General.
After our discussion he sent in his
KWVA application. We are proud to have
him as a member. He also indicated a strong
interest in participating in some of our meetings,
especially the July Board of Directors
meeting in Washington DC.
The meeting was a good preamble to the
trip to Korea I am planning in June this year.
The Sae Eden Presbyterian Church has
invited me and my wife to visit there June
17-23, along with several MIA/KIA/POW
family members. In the past, this church has
invited Korean War veterans from select
areas across the country to make this trip in
alternate years as a way to say thank you for
what we did.
This year, for the first time, they plan to
recognize the family members of those who
gave so much. I think this is a wonderful
opportunity for those who experienced the
loss of a loved one and have never been recognized
for the anguish and suffering they
have been through for all these years.
Approximately eighty people from across
the country will represent these families.
My wife and I have been invited to attend
a special event on June 24th at Carnegie Hall
in New York City that will be hosted by
Reverend Dr. Billy Kim, Far East Broadcast
Company Minister. Dr. Kim is doing this as
a thank you for the Korean veterans in the
New York City area. We plan to fly directly
back from Incheon to New York City to
attend the function on behalf of the Korean
War Veterans Association leadership.
Long-time KWVA Board member
Richard Brown, from Pennsylvania, has
resigned due to ill health. We appreciate
Dick’s long service on the board. He was
just re-elected for a three-year term last year.
The vacant position will be filled according
to KWVA by-laws, i.e., the next in line with
the most votes from the previous election
will be selected and approved by the remaining
board members. This process took place
in March. The result will be posted on the
website.
Hopefully everyone is aware that HB
1475, “Wall of Remembrance” for the
Korean War Memorial, passed the House of
Representatives on February 24th, with 301
co-sponsors, after a hard-fought effort by
Col. Bill Weber, his wife Annelie, Rick
Dean, Bill Alli, and many others who joined
them. We congratulate them for a job well
done. Now, the effort has moved to the
Senate as S. B. 1982. There are currently 25
co-sponsors; many more are needed. We
need YOUR senators’ support. Please check
and make sure they are signed on.
Executive Director Jim Fisher is working
with Congressman Sam Johnson’s office to
resurrect former H. B. 5903 that will permit
Korean Defense veterans to be considered
“War” veterans. When the new bill is submitted
and receives a number, the information
will be posted on our website and sent
to all chapters. We will need lots of help to
get this passed before the end of the year.
This is my next to the last letter as
President of the KWVA. My term will end
June 25th. The May-June issue will be the
last of my term. I have enjoyed the opportunity
to speak directly to the membership
through this medium. I hope it has been
informative.
Sadly, a very unfortunate incident involving
a KWVA member occurred at a “Trump
for President” rally in Louisville, Kentucky
in early March. It caused a considerable flurry
of publicity and emails across the internet
when the member engaged in a shoving
match with a female member of the Black
Lives Matter organization. The final outcome
of the incident is yet to be resolved,
but we should take advantage of a lesson
that can be learned from that encounter. BE
CAREFUL WHAT YOU DO WHILE
WEARING THE UNIFORM IN PUBLIC!
Every Korean veteran who wears the uniform
to a meeting of any kind should realize
that you represent a large organization of
brothers-in-arms. KNOW that your actions
reflect good or bad on all veterans.
Larry Kinard, President
Korean War Veterans Association, Inc. (KWVA/US)