Dear editor:
About sixty years ago, at the age of 21, I was drafted into the U.S. Army. My fellow soldiers and I received 16 weeks of intensive infantry training at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. Shortly thereafter we were sent to South Korea, landing at Incheon Harbor. We waded ashore waist deep with our rifles and our backpacks.
Coming from sunny Hawaii and arriving in January 1952, I was shocked to learn of the harsh winter, where the hills and mountains were covered with heavy snow. Such weather is mostly unknown in Hawaii.
I was soon assigned to a heavy mortar company at Heartbreak Ridge and later to the Kumwah sector. After nine full months, some of us returned to Hawaii for reassignment.
During our time in Korea, all that remained were bombed-out structures, dirt roads and barren mountains devastated by the many battles since June 1950.
Revisiting the Republic of Korea after 59 years as guests of the Korean War Veterans Affairs Organization, we were amazed at the warm and generous reception extended to all of us.
I was amazed at the extensive rebuilding of this great nation in terms of infrastructure and the economy The South Korean people should be proud of what they accomplished.
The accommodation, tours and gifts received are a once in a lifetime experience for all of us, including our spouses.
Our itinerary included the National Cemetery and War Memorial; Camp Bonifas, the DMZ and Panmunjom; a Seoul city tour; Kyunghee University Hospital where we received a complete medical exam; a folk village and the Walkerhill Hotel.
I was astonished and pleased to see the great transformation of this wonderful nation and its people living prosperously under democracy. Yes, freedom is not free!
Mike Takamatsu,
Maui, Hawaii