We have completed our Board of Directors Meeting and the Annual Membership Meeting successfully. The Standard
Procedure Manual changes were approved by the Board and ratification of some Bylaw changes were made by the
Membership. A new Budget for 2012 was approved by the Board and Membership. The meetings were hosted by Chapter
299 and they did an excellent job on the arrangements. The Korean War National Museum announced their move to
the New York City Area. Information was given on JPAC operations to find and identify POWs & MIAs and their
schedule for the next few years. A Virtual Museum and how it will work on the internet was also shown. Future
plans about what is in store next year by the VA was presented and The Cold War Families told what their purpose
was and what they would like for the public to know about some of the problems they have noticed in the way that
our MIAs have been looked for. Other Committee Reports will be included in the Minutes of the Board and
Membership Meetings. Also our flag, lost some years ago, had a replica presented to the KWVA by Chaplain Angel
and the VA Hospital in Indianapolis as a gift. It will be used at the Memorial & Veterans Day Ceremonies each
year when the Flags of the VSOs enter and leave the National Cemetery Rotunda.
The DOD Anniversary Committee sponsored a reception on the arrival date so they could introduce themselves to
our members and hand out information about their plans for the next couple of years. They also sponsored an
evening at the movies where they showed two movies. The first one was called the REAL MASH and had the actual
Doctors and Nurses who commented on the TV MASH show, while the actors from the TV MASH show also commented on
their roles. It was highly interesting and a good time for all with popcorn and drinks furnished. A second movie
called HOLD AT ALL COSTS about Outpost Harry was also shown and it was typical of many battles and was narrated
by actual Army personnel from both the United States and also from China. I imagine many who saw it could really
relate to other times and battles. Members attended a reception hosted by the Korean Ambassador who had a prior
commitment, but sent three of his Attaches to attend. A reception line was set up so all who attended the
banquet could meet the Generals present and Col. Clark, the head officer of he DOD 60th Anniversary Group. Our
Guest Speaker was the recently retired Four Star General Walter L. Sharp who gave his perspective on how
prepared the South Koreans are in case of an attack. General Lee, Seo Young represented the Korean Ambassador
and said a few words to the membership about how much the Korean Government and people appreciated the help
given his nation. Col. David J. Clark also spoke and gave the members more information about the DOD 60th
Anniversary Committees mission through 2013.
The Board of Directors decided to meet in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with “The Gathering”, in July,
2012. The membership approved the Boards recommendation to have the Annual Membership Meeting in the St. Louis,
MO area on October 10 – 14, 2012. The hotel will be the Doubletree Hotel St. Louis at WestPoint. A chapter has
already contacted the hotel and a contract has been signed. Also the membership approved the Boards
recommendation to have the 2013 Annual Membership Meeting in Washington, D.C. and “The Gathering” will also be
invited to be a part of this 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Armistice on July 27, 1953. It is planned to
use the same hotel that “The Gathering” will use in 2012 when it hosts the KWVA Board meeting.
The Annual Meeting in Quincy, MA was my last Annual Membership Meeting as the President of the KWVA, Inc. and
I must say that it has been such an honor to have served as your President. I have had many opportunities to
represent Korean War Veterans and I hope that I have fulfilled those times with honor and in a satisfactory way.
I thank all of my staff who have supported me. As I complete my last 6 months of my term I hope that the path
established will have been completed and the next Administration will have something they can build on.
In other news I am very happy to report that the United States and North Korea have signed an agreement to
return to North Korea in April 2012 and again search for MIA/POW that were missing in action within North Korea.
I can report that the KWVA was present at an April meeting and informed the current Administrative Personnel
that the Korean War Veterans Association certainly supported a plan to return to North Korea as a humanitarian
endeavor.
We will be contacting all of our Life Members, POW, MOH and Gold Star members to check on them so our
database can be brought up to date. We have found that many times we do not receive any information about a
death especially of those members who are not in a chapter. At our Memorial Service, a list of 1,451 members, by
States, had passed away since the July 2010 Annual Membership Meeting. Many of the deaths were reported after
years of receiving the magazine. We will be asking all those members contacted to return a special request card
mailed to them so we know you are still with us.
I wish the membership a very Happy New Year. Our election process will have begun and those who will be
running for the various open offices will have their resumes in the January – February Edition of our magazine.
Voting will be completed by May 15 and those elected will take office on June 25, 2012
William F. Mac Swain
National President, KWVA/US