Revisit Korea Program held for US veterans

U.S. veterans who served in Korea since the armistice was signed in 1953, and their family members, pose during the ROK-U.S. Alliance Night in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of the Korea Defense Veterans Association

By Kang Seung-woo

Nine U.S. veterans, who served in Korea following the 1953 armistice ending the Korean War, revisited the country last month along with their family members.

The revisit program, the first of its kind by the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) and the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation, was sponsored by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA).

A total of 16 people made the five-day trip to Korea starting Nov. 29, visiting the Joint Security Area, Camp Casey, Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base, where they served, according to the KDVA.

Additionally, they participated in the ROK-U.S. Alliance Night in Seoul, co-hosted by Defense Minister Suh Wook and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Wednesday. ROK is an acronym for the Republic of Korea.

“I am honored to revisit Korea 30 years later since I served in Korea in 1991. I miss my old base, Camp Greaves, in the north of the Imjin River. It is closed now. But I cannot forget my days in Korea, and I am very proud of how advanced the ROK has become in the world, and think my service here was very valuable,” said Kevin Miller from Pennsylvania.

“I thank the ROK government for the invitation to this meaningful event under the COVID-19 situation. I will try my best to enhance our alliance in the U.S. in the future,” Miller added.

KDVA President Vincent Brooks, a former U.S. Forces Korea commander, said that the 3.5 million Korea Defense Veterans and their families had great memories, and that they always miss their old days served with their ROK comrades in Korea.

“I have witnessed the powerful and emotional impact of the Revisit Korea Program over several years. I am excited by it. Thank you to the ROK government for the invitation and to our Korean comrades for welcoming us. The program now ― far from the first time ― includes Korea Defense Veterans. It is an honor for the KDVA to actively support this program,” Brooks added.

The MPVA, which has invited Korean War veterans, plans to expand the Revisit Program to those who served after the armistice was signed, as part of its efforts to strengthen the alliance.

U.S. veterans, who served in Korea since the armistice was signed in 1953, and their family members, visit the truce village of Panmunjeom in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Nov. 30. Courtesy of the Korea Defense Veterans Association