LOOKING BACK AND REMEMBERING

If one is not fortunate enough to have visited the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C., or unfortunate enough to have been involved in the Korean War, chances are that "Korean War" elicits only as much emotion as a new chapter in a history book.  Because of the emphasis placed on "Western Civilization" and our democratic roots sprouting from Greek and Roman civilizations, branching out to Western Europe, and coming across the Atlantic Ocean, we Americans are not too familiar with Asian history - except where the United States appears smack in the middle of the history and leaves a large footprint. 

The U.S. still has 46 military bases here in South Korea, and approximately 30,000 soldiers (blame wikipedia if incorrect). Their presence has been largely responsible for the peaceful conditions that exist since the Korean War ended in 1953. Anyone who was old enough to participate in that war is around 86 - 88 years old, but there are people on the street whose parents told them stories about it. We were on a subway one day and a man came over, speaking English rather well, and said,"We really love and appreciate the Americans who saved us. They were one of sixteen countries who helped to fight for us against the Chinese." He then named the other sixteen countries.  The "oldtimers" won't be around for long, and Koreans may not remember, except for:

THE U.N. MEMORIAL CEMETERY

This sculpture stands at the entrance of the U.N. Memorial Cemetery. Each soldier around the "hub" of the wheel represents a country who sent soldiers or medical personnel to Korea to keep the Communist Chinese, and later Russians from taking over the entire Korean peninsula.

Each country's flag is also on display. South Korea lost 230,000 men and the United States lost 54,000 men in the fighting. Without the United States leading the way and exhibiting strength and confidence, the other countries may have been reticent to join in. With Chinese strength in numbers, the entire peninsula probably would have fallen to the Communists. Even though many Koreans long for a "unified Korea", and hope that some day North and South will be reconciled, we are thankful for a free South Korea, and all of its ramifications: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, education, free uncensored internet, freedom of the press, democratic voting, and on and on. There would not only be no Christianity, but there would be no religion at all. We wouldn't be here! I'm so thankful that we are here, that we can have freedom of religion, and that the people of South Korea can learn about Jesus Christ. (South Korea is the most Christian of all Asian countries.)

 It was a pretty wintry day, so the grass was yellow and the bushes were brown, but it was very beautiful. The small bushes are trimmed like grave markers.

The Wall of Remembrance had the name of every non-Korean who died in the Korean War.

Looking out from the Wall of Remembrance to the row of flags

Reflecting pool and fountain

 The Memorial Hall

The Korean conflict was the only time in history when the U.N. called together an army by asking countries to come to the aid of another country, South Korea, thereby preventing Communist Chinese takeover. Because of Busan's location as a major port city, conveniently between China and Japan, Busan was the scene of important battles, and therefore was chosen as the site for this unique cemetery. (At the time of the Korean war, Busan was spelled/pronounced Pusan.)

Unknown Soldier's Pathway - for those unidentified who are buried here

United States of America Memorial

 We left with a reverence and appreciation for soldiers and their families; and came away with gratefulness for the freedoms we love in the United States of America.   

There is no other country like it!