The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County) recognized and honored twenty-three (23) Korean War veterans residing at the Ohio Veterans Home (OVH) during an observance of the signing day of the Military Truce ending the Korean War.

The ceremony was co-sponsored by the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) Chapter #121 (Greater Cincinnati). The same two (2) veteran organizations had previously co-sponsored a remembrance of the day, June 25, 1950, the day the Korean War was started, which was held in Batavia.

DAV Chapter #63 Commander James Stanzak awarded each Korean War veteran with a DAV Commemorative Coin in recognition of their prior military service during the Korean War. The Korean War, also named as a “Police Action” at the time, lasted from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953.

According to DAV Chapter Chaplain Bill Graybill, it was commonly called the “Forgotten War,” fought by “Forgotten Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen.” “With the total number of U.S. military fallen in Korea at 54,246,” stated Chaplain Graybill, “this was not just a Police Action. It was a War.”

Chapter #63 Adjutant John Plahovinsak, the guest speaker, spoke on the Truce Agreement Process, why the “Forgotten War” name was started, the Aftermath of the Truce and why Korean War Veterans are currently not given the recognition they earned by Congress and the General Public.

“In the past, when America was engaged in a military conflict, such as World War I and World War II, vast mobilizations of manpower and industry were conducted,” explained Adjutant Plahovinsak. “Following the end of the fighting, there was a ‘peace treaty’ signed.”

“Parades were held for returning World War II veterans, who returned with their units. They received respect, recognition, honors, and planned unit reunions were showered upon them for their victories,” he continued.

The Korean War veterans only had a temporary “truce signing,” and they were ignored when they returned home individually, not as the military units of World War II did.

The Vietnam War veterans had their first homecoming parade on November 13, 1982, when several thousand Vietnam veterans marched down Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. On May 7, 1985, over 25,000 Vietnam veterans had their homecoming parade in New York City.

On June 8, 1991, a homecoming to welcome and honor Persian Gulf veterans was held in Washington, D.C. It was the largest American military parade since World War II.

Finally, on June 25, 1992, Korean War veterans received a homecoming parade, when 5,000 Korean War veterans marched in New York City, thirty-eight (38) years since the end of the war.

“For those people who contend that the Korean War was the first War that America had lost,” explained Plahovinsak, “they fail to realize what the veterans’ actually accomplished.”

North Korea lost the territorial gains it made at the very start of the War. The North Korean Army was nearly destroyed and had its own prior-conflict territory reduced, especially in the eastern end of the country. They wanted to unify the entire Korean Peninsula under Communism. They failed.

“The Korean War was the first engagement of a forty-five (45) year-long struggle called the Cold War,” summarized Plahovinsak. “When the Berlin Wall fell on November 9, 1989, Korean War veterans knew they played a key part in that victory!”

U.S. Navy and KWVA Chapter #121 War Veteran Robert Lytle presented a Memorial Wreath to the OVH in observance of the Date of the Truce Signing and recognizing the service of all the Korean War Veterans residing at the OVH.

DAV Department of Ohio’s Commander Aaron Cunningham addressed the assembled Korean War veterans at the OVH and thanked them for their service.

“We, at the state-level, have supported you, and all the other disabled veterans at the Ohio Veterans Home, in the past,” stated Commander Cunningham, “and we will never forget the sacrifices that you have made.”

“You are not the “Forgotten Veterans” of the “Forgotten War” – you are the “Victors” of the “Korean War” and the “Cold War,” commented Cunningham.

Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary (DAVA) Department of Ohio Chaplain Shirley Plahovinsak spoke the Closing Prayer and TAPS were sounded by DAV Chapter #63 Senior Vice-Commander Gary Lytle.

CUTLINES

Photograph #1

Korean War and Navy Veteran Robert Lytle, of Batavia, dedicates the Wreath of Honor to all Korean War Veterans residing at the Southern Ohio Veterans Home. Veteran Lytle is a Life Member of both Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County) and Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 121 (Greater Cincinnati).

Photograph #2

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #63 (Clermont County) Adjutant John Plahovinsak (right) address the Korean War residents living at the Southern Ohio Veterans Home (OVH) in observance of July 27, 1953, the day the Military Truce was officially signed at Panmunjom. Seated (left) is Chapter #63 Chapter Commander Jim Stanzak, who is preparing to award DAV Commemorative Coins to all twenty-three (23) Korean War residents living at the OVH in special observance of this day.

(both photographs by Shirley Plahovinsak of the DAVA Unit #63)

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