United on the RoK May 2023

E-C INTERNATIONAL LAW OFFICE

Professional Experience

Attorney-at-Law

E-C International Law Office (1995-2019)

General practice, private law practice.

Judge Advocate (Major)

United States Air Force Reserves (1995-2006)

Served as a Judge Advocate in the Air Force Reserves, retiring in October 2006.

Judge Advocate

United States Air Force (1983-1995)

Active Duty Judge Advocate, practicing all areas of military law

Law School Professor

University of the Ryukyu Law School

Okinawa, Japan

Ms. Annette M. Eddie-Callagain Esq.

Kojeon

Where

Choosing to Stay Together

MSAN’s Leadership Development Program

Applications are open for the MSAN’s Leadership Development Program!

General In-Bum Chun on the ROKU.S. Alliance

Kojeon Antique is a warehouse of treasures, where classical elegance meets modern chic. Agnes Ko invites us inside and shares the incredible story behind the shop.

Cover: Agnes Ko (Photo by Erin Henderson)

Bethany Hager shares her family’s journey together

Lieutenant General (Ret.) In-bum Chun on the importance of investing in partnerships

Antique

Classical Elegance Meets Modern Chic

ON THE ROK ON THE ROK United United

Published by Oriental Press

Editor in Chief Caitlin Ward

Art Director

Eric Young-Seok Park

Media Manager

Erin Henderson

Writers

Jetta Allen

Melissa Bell

Matt Bin eld

Lieutenant General (Ret.) In-Bum

Chun, Republic of Korea Army

Lucy Davis

Evan Flores

Monica K. Guthrie

Bethany Hager

Kim Eun-Sook

Kim Jeong-Chul

Agnes Ko

Maritzalyn Mercado-Santiago

Amy Millican

Sergeant Jessica M. Night, U.S. Army

Carolyn Pickering

Sarah Piper

Kristine Provins

Socheat Sang

Bisirat Sium

Dawn Smith

Bill Streifer

Kristy Walker

Senior Master Sergeant Gwen West, U.S. Air Force

Richard Wheeler

Contributors

Colonel (Ret.) William Alexander, U.S. Army

Lambda Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Danny Maldonado

Min Kim

Devany Valovich

Featured HBBs

Amber Gri th Sweets & Treats

Flyga Twiga

Launched in July 2022, United on the RoK is a civilian information and lifestyle magazine distributed monthly at all USFK installations. e purpose of the magazine is to enhance connectedness within and across our diverse communities and to help community members adapt to life in Korea.

United on the RoK is monthly publication for members of the United States Forces Korea Community. Editorial content is the responsibility of United on the RoK. Contents of the publication are not necessarily the o cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or Oriental Press.

Oriental Press

Chief Executive O cer

Charles Chong

Chief Operating O cer

Chong N. Cho

Senior Adviser

Hyun Jong Shin

Myung Chan Choi

Interns

Ho Cheol Shin

Nguyen i Bich Loan

Marketing Director

Joseph Shim

Kye-Hwan Pak

Southern West District

Jong Kwon Noh

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Commercial Advertising

Phone: DSN (315)738-2222 ext. 6815 / 02-6903-6815

E-mail: oriental.press.eric@gmail.com

Mailing address: PSC 450, Box 758, APO AP 96206-0758

Ellie with her mother, Soo Jin Kim. See pages 40-42 for the story.

(Photos by Erin Henderson)

LIVE MUSIC ART CALENDAR &

APR15-16

TWICE 5TH WORLD TOUR ‘READY TO BE’

KSPO DOME ticket.yes24.com

APR23

APR15-16

Super Junior World Tour Super Show 9: Road_Show

Jamsil Indoor Stadium ticket.yes24.com

APR29-30

Hiphopplaya Festival 2023

Nanji Han River Park, Seoul ticket.yes24.com

MAY01

Road to 2023 WORLD DJ FESTIVAL - BUSAN

Busan Cinema Center globalinterpark.com

MAY25

Luxembourg Philharmonic

SAC Concert Hall www.sac.or.kr/site/eng/

MAY26-28

Seoul Jazz Festival 2023

Olympic Park globalinterpark.com

2023 Dmitry Shishkin Piano Recital with TOWMOO

Lotte Concert Hall lotteconcerthall.com/eng

APR25

Ensemble Intercontemporain

SAC Concert Hall www.sac.or.kr/site/eng/

MAY11/14

Miklós Perényi & Finghin Collins Duo Concert

SAC Concert Hall www.sac.or.kr/site/eng/

MAY12

Yulianna Avdeeva Piano Recital

SAC Concert Hall www.sac.or.kr/site/eng/

JUN02

2023 Yuhki Kuramoto Concert

Lotte Concert Hall lotteconcerthall.com/eng

ONGOING

-JUN18

The Phantom of The Opera - BUSAN

Dream Theatre ticket.yes24.com

EDITOR’S NOTE

From the outside, Kojeon Antiques looks like a warehouse. There are a few stone monuments outside, but otherwise, there is nothing to prepare you for the colorful variety of antiques that will welcome you when you step inside. Everything is ornamentally arranged and yet it is a homely and spacious environment that you could peruse for hours.

The owner, Agnes Ko, is a joyful and sprightly woman. She describes herself as an outgoing city girl from Seoul. She met her husband, Dongyoung Lee during the second year of university in a classical music club. She described him as a country boy and very shy. One day, he invited her to a concert and she agreed; she recalled being shocked by how expensive the tickets were. He continued to pursue her, taking her to great concerts. She enjoyed the outings but was hesitant to commit. They were so opposite. She was a city girl and he was a country boy, she was outgoing and he was shy, she loved to play tennis and he was content watching.

When he left for his two years of mandatory service, she realized how much he had spoiled her and that she missed him. When he finished his service, he had an opportunity to go to Belgium to pursue his doctorate in Geology. They decided to get married in April 1975, and moved together to Brussels. Check out her article to read about her journey from Brussels to selling antiques in Korea and China.

At the young age of 24, Lieutenant General (Ret.) In-Bum Chun of the Republic of Korea Army was recognized for saving the life of General Ki Baek Lee during a North Korean terrorist bombing in Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon). From there, his career took off, and he became even more dedicated to the mission and a responsibility he felt toward fellow service members. General Chun met with United on the RoK. His kind and gentle demeanor is paired with his fierce and ardent commitment to the ROK-US alliance.

Bethany Hager shares her family’s story of choosing to stay together. Despite the stress and turbulence of frequent moves, Team Hager is thriving and maybe it’s because the family has often given themselves the option to stay where they were or stay together.

Socheat Sang offers a reflection on friendships and how they fit into the different seasons of our life. Known for her exceptional cooking, it is unsurprising that Sang uses food as a metaphor. She poses a number of questions in her essay that give us food for thought. One of her insights is how motherhood affected her broader perspective of life and priorities.

Sarah Piper shares her experience of being supported and encouraged by her peers to take on a leadership role in her community. Lucy Davis writes about her adventure with Toastmasters. Melissa Bell tells the ins and outs of the Scouts Program and the wonderful experience she and her family have had being involved. Kristy Walker writes about how she found herself when she connected with Rebel Rescue. Previously stationed in Korea, Danny Maldonado introduces his passion and his business, Honor Among Wrestling.

Carolyn Pickering writes about Teacher Appreciation Week in May and the many ways you can get involved in thanking the incredible educators in our community. Teacher Matt Binfield shares a unique experience of teacher appreciation and reminds us how we can impact our community by showing gratitude. Maritzalyn Mercado-Santiago shares another incredible homeschooling lesson, this time on water pollution and management.

Bisirat Sium writes about loneliness, with tips on finding and creating support networks. Amy Millican writes the second in a series of articles about sustainable tourism, sharing ideas on how we can travel in a way that is friendly to the environment and the communities we are exploring.

This issue is full of voices from people sharing their experiences, and reminding us that this is our home, where we find our way, sense of belonging and purpose. This is our community magazine, a platform for our voices, to enhance connectedness.

If you are interested in writing, sharing information, promoting your organization or event, please reach out to editor@unitedontherok.com.

Happy reading!

Caitlin Ward Editor in Chief

““We shape our buildings and a erwards our buildings shape us.”

Winston Churchill

Photo: Caitlin Ward pictured with her mother, Mary Buckley, and her baby daughter, Zoe Evelyn Ward.

Finally It’s Here!

By Jetta Allen

e gray dread of winter gone, Chill in the air no more, Orange beams of light pierce, Earth slowly warming each day, Smiles longing for summer beams, Trees shake and wake to grow, Little perks of buds peak out, Splashes of color excite, New beginnings commence, A promise of a fresh start, Days are a bit longer, Mornings ring a touch earlier, Rays of sunshine dancing, Birds announcing the arrival, Finally it’s here, We welcome Spring!

Celebrating Our Police Officers

N a t i o n a l P o l i c e W e e k ,

M a y 1 5 - 2 1 , 2 0 2 3

N a t i o n a l P o l i c e W e e k i n t h e U . S . i s a

t i m e t o c o m e t o g e t h e r t o r e c o g n i z e

t h e l a w e n f o r c e m e n t o f f i c e r s w h o

l o s t t h e i r l i v e s i n t h e l i n e o f d u t y ,

a n d t o h o n o r t h e o f f i c e r s w h o s e r v e

a n d p r o t e c t t h e i r c o m m u n i t i e s e a c h

a n d e v e r y d a y .

T h a n k y o u f o r p r o t e c t i n g o u r

c o m m u n i t i e s , k e e p i n g l a w a n d o r d e r , a n d f o r a l l t h e t i m e s y o u

h a v e t a k e n o n t h e r o l e o f s o c i a l

w o r k e r s , c o m m u n i t y o r g a n i z e r s ,

c o u n s e l o r s , p r o t e c t o r s , m e d i a t o r s

a n d e v e n p r o v i d e d m e d i c a l c a r e .

R e s p e c t

H o n o r

R e m e m b e r

Hello, Friend

By Socheat Sang

Asyou wake up in the morning and go through your gowith-the-flow of daily activities, you could never imagine your life flying by each day, each week, each month and find yourself years later. I began to think back over all my different friendships, relationships and past memories. How did I make friends back in my youth? Would I rate all my friends as close? Did they treat me with the same respect and expectations that I held for them? Maybe or maybe not? People would say that I am an extrovert, but in reality was I?

Can I compare my friendships to a four course meal for each decade of my life? Which course is my favorite? In my early twenties, pleasing my friends or going with the flow was just life. I would never have imagined then that I would ever set boundaries with friendships. Appetizers are supposed to give you a small taste full of flavor…was my friendship more than just a quick bypass? Or was it a course of antipastos that fulfilled my youthful expectations?

Let's go out for dinner, same place? You pick, want to change the night ok…busy? Great, let's reschedule. Want to cancel? Great, I'll find something else to do. You just went with the flow. Next course, please.

Then came my thirties, my first baby boy came along as an eight-pounder and no longer was going with the flow as easy. Nap times, feeding times, and snack time became a priority. Was this the beginning of understanding what type of boundaries I had with myself? Some of my friends just couldn't catch up with my timeline. Was I mad with them? Maybe a little at the time, but then again,

I didn't have time to be mad at friends. I had a little life looking at me and expecting me to pump out some milk for his meal. Was this the main course?

My life was still as open to anyone and everyone. Give your all and get your all. My mission was always to make the person who was in front of me happy. Why not? The world was so full of pessimists, I'll just be the half-full-glass-friend. But then motherhood came and yes, it was my main course. Full of flavor and creativity. No sleep, sure, but my kid was getting food. No entertainment, no worries, my kid sang to me. Let's go on this roller coaster of surprises.

Giving it my all…I had to divide my time with family, business and community. This decade of my life was full of pushes and pulls. See, I am a professional in the spa business and during my kids’ early years, I decided to be an entrepreneur. Wow, did this open many other doors — thinking out of the box was an understatement. Different relationships, professional networks, mom-groups and family friends. Did I not realize how important relationships, real relationships, neighbors, and community were to build a foundation for your family? At the end, a main course makes you full, it satisfies your body's need for nutrition and gives you energy to go on.

Here is when the dissection of my meal came. Was there enough salt, was it missing a bit of cream? Could it have used a tad more garnish? What type of friends do you have? What vibe do you get from your friends? Are you energized after the meal or do you feel like the meal gave you a quick high craving for more food?

Gym friend, coffee friend, my

next mentor, neighbors, family friends, colleagues or will you be my next village?

The trust and heart of emotions are all from within yourself. I understand where our friendships stand and I understand where she stands. We can meet in the middle. Hold on to your expectations and beliefs. Follow your heart and morals. Know who you are and stand your ground. This is the only way that I realize that I can continue to my next course of life without getting hurt. I know that I can and will be the only one who can make decisions for my family. I know that whatever I do will affect my foundation because

I am my family's core. Who I invite into my sanctuary will not only affect myself but it will affect my kids and spouse routine. When you understand where you stand as a friend, you will understand how to hold your boundaries with others. Friendship doesn't have to be a Daiso. It does not need to be all in one place. Different people are good at their jobs because that is what their talents lie with. Why do we expect our friends to be all of the above when we do not expect our coffee to be only one type?

Know your value, appreciate the little things. I am ready for my dessert and coffee now.

First Joint Korean-American Special Olympics Event at Humphreys

By Monica K. Guthrie

Morethan 50 students from U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys and two Pyeongtaek schools came to Humphreys, May 3, to participate in the first joint Special Olympics event. The event came a year after the last Special Olympics where a memorandum of understanding was signed, paving the way for future joint events between the Korean and Humphreys communities.

This year Ebada and Dong-Bang, two schools from the city of Pyeongtaek, sent a combined 23 student athletes to participate in the event. They joined the 20 student athletes from the four Camp Humphreys’ schools (high school, middle and two elementary schools) in the track and field events. In addition, nine student athletes, aged 7 and younger, participated in adapted physical contests.

This event was the 4th annual Humphreys' Unified Special Olympics Track

and Field event.

“This event is for our students with intellectual disabilities as well as other students that, due to their disability, don’t necessarily get the opportunity to participate in regular sports and activities,” said Lori Pyers-Goodwin, Learning Impaired Moderate to Severe Disabilities teacher and Humphreys Unified Special Olympics coordinator.

The event began at 9:30 a.m. with a ceremonial torch processional, which involved an imitation torch being carried around the event track by students representing each of the schools. The m Humphreys commander, Col. Seth Graves, gave opening remarks, welcoming the students and thanking the volunteers for their work in making the event a reality.

“All of you are inspiring,”

Graves said to the student athletes.

“Not only are you able to show off your physical strength today, but your ability to make friends from around the world is incredible. All the adults here have something to learn from you. Today, you are the teachers.”

Awards were presented following each contest, with Humphreys students awarding the Koreans and then the Korean students awarding the American students. Blake Martinez, fifth grader at Humphreys Middle School, participated in the softball throw, the long jump and the 50-meter dash. Blake said he enjoyed having the two Korean schools participate because he doesn’t often have an opportunity to spend time with Korean children.

“This is a lot of fun,” said Blake.

In addition to the athletic

events, the Korea Sports Symphony from Seoul gave a performance. More than half of the musicians in the symphony have disabilities.

“I hope the children are inspired about more things they can accomplish and they see how disabilities aren’t as limiting as others might feel,” said Pyers-Goodwin.

Eugene Yoo attended in support of his son Landen, who is a sixth grader at Humphreys Middle School. Landen competed in the softball throw and a running event and Yoo said he was grateful for the opportunity for his son to be able to participate.

“We’re able to be part of a bigger community, which is something we haven’t been able to do before,” said Yoo. “They put on such a great event. We couldn’t ask for more."

Sustainable Tourism: Who’s Really Sustainable?

By Amy Millican

This is the second in a series of articles about how you can practice Sustainable Tourism! Traveling in a sustainable, earth-friendly way requires an understanding of many facets of the travel industry. The first article in the April issue shed light on the beneficial effects of non-profit organizations on sustainable tourism. This article addresses how to make sure all of your travel providers are offering truly Sustainable Tourism. With this knowledge of how the travel industry works, you are empowered to ask insightful questions of your Travel Planner, judge which travel options meet your criteria for sustainability, and positively impact the communities where you travel. Remember, you are the key to Sustainable Tourism!

Inthe travel industry, Travel Planners use what are known as “Destination Management Companies” (DMCs). The DMCs are the ground handlers; the people at the destination who will coordinate all of the travel. Best practices dictate that a DMC would reflect the values of the Travel Planner and their goal of Sustainable Tourism.

But, here is an insider secret, many do not. It is fairly common on travel industry boards, pages, and chat groups to see requests from Travel Planners for DMCs for areas in which the Travel Planner has no

experience or understanding. This can put you, the traveler, at greater risk. Also, if you are trying to practice Sustainable Tourism, just because your Travel Planner says they practice Sustainable Tourism, does not necessarily mean the DMC does.

How do you vet whether your Travel Planner’s DMC practices Sustainable Tourism? Here are several questions that you should ask:

- Does your Travel Planner say they practice Sustainable Tourism?

- What does Sustainable Tourism mean to the Travel Planner?

- Who is their DMC?

- Does their DMC practice Sustainable Tourism?

- How long have they worked with the DMC?

These questions will alert your Travel Planner to the fact that you care about Sustainable Tourism and want to live your values.

Below is an interview with Nikki Thaver, of Southern Africa 360 Luxury Holidays and Exclusive Tours, one of my DMCs in South Africa. Southern Africa 360 is owned and operated by Nikki and Collin Thaver. Their values align with my business’s commitment to Sustainable Tourism. Southern Africa 360 is

a dynamic, owner run and managed DMC, covering the entire Southern African region.

Southern Africa 360’s focus is on crafting bespoke Fully Independent Traveler (FIT) arrangements and small group itineraries. They are renowned for meeting the needs of their discerning clients. Southern Africa 360’s vision is to make Southern African travel dreams come true with carefully crafted itineraries, handpicked excursions, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

How does Southern Africa 360 Luxury Holidays and Exclusive Tours define and practice Sustainable Tourism?

Sustainable tourism has three pillars – environmental, economic, and socio-cultural. Practicing sustainable and responsible tourism minimizes detrimental impacts on these, while maximizing inclusive socio-economic development and conservation. In a simple nutshell, it is to have the well-being of people and the planet at heart.

In our business we practice Sustainable Tourism in several ways:

● Being a tour operator/ DMC we bring together many elements of a travel package – accommodation, transport, activities, dining, etc. We thus have a great opportunity to work with a number of smaller businesses and one of our goals is always to support small, particularly previously disadvantaged, tourism businesses and assist them to grow.

● With Collin’s and my vast experience in the industry, we

have also been involved in mentorship programs, working with small businesses needing guidance.

● We also support and market to our own client bases packages that incorporate products that are Fair Trade Tourism accredited. The Fair Trade Tourism logo is defined as the mark of best practice in responsible and Fair Trade Tourism, defined by fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing and operations, equitable distribution of benefits, and respect for human rights, culture and the environment.

● We take into consideration Game and Safari Lodges that have a strong Conservation ethos and will always recommend these to our clients above those that don’t. Conservation in South Africa among the Safari Lodges is very strong, so we do not struggle with product in this regard!

● There are certain activities that we absolutely do not support – for example activities that involve the petting of animals (e.g. lion cubs, which often end up the victims of caged hunting) and hunting – to the extent that we would not even book a transfer to such activities.

● Within our own office one of our biggest objectives is to grow women in tourism, particularly those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. We take on and train straight-from-college interns, giving them 18-month experience in the tourism field. We employ freelance services of women, helping them to grow their own businesses –e.g. our accounts and marketing services. We pay our consultants competitive salaries and also incentivize them so that they benefit from every booking they make. We empower our consultants and interns with product training and attending educational training sessions and

also send those with management potential on management and empowerment courses.

● We are environmentally conscious in our office with regards to energy and water consumption, paper usage, recycling, etc. We also try to employ people who live within a 10km radius from the office to reduce the time spent on the road.

What impact do you believe Sustainable Tourism has on South Africa, its people, and the economy?

Tourism remains a key driver of South Africa's national economy and contributes to job creation. The tourism industry is a major contributor to the South African economy and employment of its citizens. The sector contributes about 9% to the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Employment opportunities, infrastructure development, promotion of culture and preservation of heritage are all ways in which tourism, when managed sustainably, can contribute to building a society that is engaged with sustainable tourism.

Being in the Republic of Korea, you may have the opportunity to travel domestically and internationally. If you choose to practice Sustainable Tourism, please keep in mind the role of the DMC, in addition to the Travel Planner, when creating your travel adventures. Your travels have a great effect on the economy, environment, and socio-cultural structures in the communities you visit. You are the key to Sustainable Tourism!

Collin and Nikki

CherryAdventuresBlossom

By Richard Wheeler

This is my second tour in the Republic of Korea, and with how busy I am at work, I try to get out to adventure around and explore the country. The first weekend of April 2023 was probably the nicest weekend we’ve had since before winter arrived. The air quality was decent, and it was in the mid-seventies (Fahrenheit). It was definitely time to pull out the shorts and crocs! I wanted to do some family photos for my friend Tyler and his family, and Tyler wanted to go out and take photos as well. So, we decided to go on an adventure and find some cherry blossoms! Tyler and his family picked me up, and lo and behold Tyler’s wife, Darrien, had a whole itinerary for us.

Day One

Our first stop was just on the other side of the river at a local honey store, Bee & Honey. This store was pretty great, outside they have all the beehives that you can see from a distance. Inside the store they had seven large glass containers of different types of honey, with tasting jars just off to the side. They also were a coffee shop. We spent about twenty minutes here before we moved on to our next stop.

Our next stop was at the Pyeongtaekho Tourist area, which is near the Pyeongtaek Port. This was our first stop for cherry blossoms. We found some cherry blossoms, but nothing that was worthy of family photos. We walked

around a bit, and found a spot where I was going to do a photoshoot for a friend’s car. Little did we know that we were just a few 100 meters from the Pyeongtaekho Lake Art Park (I’ll come back to that later). When we decided to leave, we were going to go to a Tulip Field/ Park, about thirty minutes away, but as we got closer, the traffic started to back up. It turned out there was a Tulip Festival. The line just for parking was pretty long, and we were working on a timeline to get to our next destination to capture the cherry blossoms with the sun setting. So, we moved on to our third location.

Our next stop on this adventure was at the Gunjajeong Pavilion, which is southwest of Pyeongtaek and east of Seosan. We wanted to find a “not so popular” place, so it wasn’t so busy. It wasn’t tourist busy, but there were a handful of people. It was a great place to walk around and take some photos of the cherry blossoms and scenery. Just as the sun was above the horizon, we started to shoot! I enjoy doing family portraits, but these are by far my favorite family portraits I’ve taken! We had a really good time with it.

From there we just moved down the road to another part where you can walk around the pavilion and the walkways are all lined with cherry blossoms. Tyler and I found some good spots and took some great photos. We hung out in this area till just after 5pm. We were

Gunjajeong Pavilion

all getting hungry so we decided to head back to the car and return to Pyeongtaek. Tyler and Darrien recommended we go to a restaurant to eat some Octopus. I had only had calamari, but since I was along for the ride, I wanted to try it. We got to the restaurant, and we ate so much food. Octopus was good, a little spicy, but definitely cleared out my sinuses! After a great dinner, and time with friends they returned me to my car and I turned in for the night, to get ready for the next day.

Day Two

My friend Kim wanted photos of her Subaru WRX around the cherry blossoms, and I knew just the spot! I woke up early, we met at the second stop from day one, and found some spots to shoot. We got there early, and got a few shots in before the crowd started to show up. After being satisfied with the photos, we called it good, and I decided to go down and check out Pyeongtaekho Lake Art Park.

The park was great. It was at the end of the walkway right on the water. There was a large pyramid building that was a bit run down, but cherry blossoms lined the walkway up to it. Then down by the river on the sidewalk, the cherry blossoms lined both sides of the sidewalk. I took a photo there of a mini stuffed lion that was given to me on my first deployment in 2011-2012, and it’s been to every country and place I visit! All in all, a great weekend of adventuring around with friends and great weather!

By Scarlett Kuczynski

Lambda Xi's Qruise with the Ques

By Cornelius "Chase" H. Woodson Jr., Founder, Olam House

Please join The RoK Hard Ques of the Lambda Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. for our memorable Memorial Day Weekend at Dragon Hill Lodge. Enjoy a weekend of food, fellowship and fun for a great cause! Tickets are available via Eventbrite. You may purchase tickets from between $65 (no Qruise) and $90 in advance, and $105 at the time of the event. Purchase a ticket or make a donation. Profits from this event benefit scholarships and programming.

The Lambda Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides community service and uplift throughout the world. For more information, visit our chapter's website at https://www.lambdaxi1911.com You may also visit our national website at https://oppf.org.

Richard Wheeler

Subaru WRX

From Korea to the Quad Cities: How Danny Maldonado Launched a Professional Wrestling Company

By Caitlin Ward

DannyMaldonado is from Puerto Rico and grew up around wrestling, watching it with his grandparents who always had it on TV. He said that in Puerto Rico, wrestling has deep roots, “every show is like going to see the Beatles.” The first time there was a local wrestling match, he was hooked.

In 2022, Maldonado founded Honor Among Wrestling, a professional wrestling company in the Quad Cities. In an interview with United on the RoK, he talks about the business and his journey from being a fan to now a business owner.

1. What is Honor Among Wrestling?

Honor Among Wrestling (HAW) is a Veteran-owned professional wrestling company in the Quad Cities.

HAW is a combination of my passion for owning my own business and my passion for pro wrestling. I have been passionate about pro wrestling since I was 6 years old. In addition to professional wrestling shows, we offer opportunities to be a crew member or even train to be a professional wrestler. This opportunity is open for everybody who wants to be involved

in wrestling.

I created HAW in September 2022 with the intention of expanding opportunities and entertainment for wrestling fans in the Quad Cities (Rock Island and Moline in Illinois and Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa). After spending a year at Rock Island Arsenal, researching and building an understanding of the area, and with much support from friends and family, I realized it is now or never to start a new chapter.

2. What is your wrestling experience?

Like every person who loves wrestling, we started when we were little kids, watching larger-than-life people performing in the ring. Being in the military since I was 18 put a hold on those dreams, since I was constantly moving, deploying and going through rotations—I wasn’t able to find the proper school and time. In 2018 when I was stationed at Camp Humphreys, I connected with Pro Wrestling Society, a wrestling school that had just been started by Hong Dong Hee (Shiho) in South Korea. At the late age of 35, I made a dream come true. It took me six months of training before I could perform in front of a crowd. All the way until the moment I PCS’d in 2021, I performed all over Korea.

3. Which wrestlers inspire you?

The wrestler who has inspired me the most is Shawn Michaels in WWE, for his charisma and ability to perform at a high level all the time. He is everything I aspire to be.

4. How has wrestling impacted you?

Wrestling has had a great impact on my personal life. It was my go-to place after school and work. As we call it, it is our men’s soap opera. A way to get away from reality and destress. For most of the people I grew up around, wrestling defined the way we were.

5. What is your wrestling style? How does it differ from wrestling styles in other countries?

We got all wrestling styles from fast-paced to hard hitting. All countries have different styles of how they train and how they perform, and that’s what I wanna bring to the show.

6. How do you develop your story lines?

We develop storylines months in advance, going through every detail as much as possible. We want to make sure whatever storyline we have, from happy endings to the villain winning the day, that every fan experiences every emotion.

7. What is the most challenging part of your business?

The greatest challenge is getting talent and venues all together. Luckily, I’ve been in the military for twenty years doing logistics, that has helped me manage it pretty well.

8. What is your five-year goal? What is your ten-year goal?

My five-year goal is to be the main brand in the area, to be one of those shows people would not want to miss.

Ten-year goal would be, to be able to travel to different cities and take the brand around areas that do not have wrestling close by.

9. How can people get connected with Honor Among Wrestling?

You can connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Spotify and TikTok with the handle Honor Among Wrestling.

Dear you, Give yourself.

is life makes you feel displaced and uncertain. Your identity becomes mottled with your spouse's. You surrender bits and pieces of what makes you you so that you can continue making your spouse's world uid. en comes the sadness.

You enroll in college classes. You get a job. You dive into your children's school career. You feel accomplished. en comes the sadness.

You make a friend a er three months at your new duty station. You just click. You feel elated. ey PCS. en comes the sadness.

You meet a stray dog. You befriend this dog. is dog claims you as their human. A er two months of ensuring some kind of care for this dog, you feel grounded. You feel loved because this creature is happy to see you every time. You nd this dog a home. is dog is loved and cherished. You feel happiness.

You continue this path. You build bonds with your Korean neighbors. ey show you their trust. Your happiness grows. You continue to give yourself and you are eventually reconnected with the person you lost. It's me.

I found myself while giving myself to the dogs of Korea. If you have lost yourself, come join me as a volunteer at Rebel Rescue South Korea. Maybe we can help you nd you again.

Love,

Kristy Walker About the Author

Kristy Walker is an avid volunteer at Rebel Rescue and advocate for animal welfare. She responds to reports of animals in need, cares for abandoned country dogs, provides on-site medical care within her capacity, and frequently visits the dog meat farms in Osan to show persistence, to show face and hope for a change. Come afternoon, she is in full mom-mode with her daughter in Taekwondo and son preparing to graduate from high school.

My “Seoul” Hearts Korea

By Senior Master Sergeant Gwen West, U.S. Air Force

Takinga deep breath in and exhaling, I said with excitement “We are moving to Korea!” This is what I shared with my husband, David, and two boys, Josiah and Jeremiah back in September 2021. We were six months away from uprooting all of our belongings from Whiteman Air Force Base, which is located in a small town called Knob Noster, Missouri and heading across the globe to U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, South Korea. My husband and I had expressed a desire to live abroad with our family, but not once did we imagine our overseas journey starting here in Korea. We don’t regret it! My boys, who were ages 1 and 3 when I shared the news, had no idea what the excitement was about other than watching their parents turn their excitement into a dance off in the living room. May 5 marked two years of living in Korea and it has been the most humbling experience for my family and I.

Our first stop after arriving at Humphreys was quarantine jail. This was the first time we stayed in close quarters with each other for 14 straight days without a fight. Once we were released from quarantine jail, we immediately hit the ground running to find the place that would be our home for the next three years.

I am happy to say that with the help of the Camp Humphreys Spouses page (when you scroll past the spouse en-

tertainment), I was well aware of how to seek a realtor, what to expect with onpost/off-post housing, how to enroll my children in daycare, find family-friendly things to do over the weekend, and I was made aware of resources available on and off post to support my family and I. Facebook would have never been the place I would search for this information, but in this time and age, it works surprisingly well. Although our tour has mostly been positive, living in Korea has also come with some challenges. For starters, the language barrier has tripped us up several times especially when ordering food. We have also learned that the farther you are from the post, the more difficult it becomes to speak to a local Korean. However, I am thankful that Google Translate is at the tip of my fingers to assist with that, except when you forget to pull a ticket at the tolls and are stuck trying to explain your mishap over the intercom in English. The second and most difficult challenge living here is being away from close family and friends and having to rebuild a new network and support system.

Lastly, as an active duty mom, I find that it does not get easier serving full time when you have young children. As I have gotten older, I realize and place more emphasis on spending time with my family; however, I don’t get to enjoy all of the perks during my duty hours. My oldest son is enrolled in Taekwondo, but it’s during the week and in the middle of my workday. As much as I would love to skip work every Monday and Wednesday to see him build on his skills, I have a work obligation. I do however commit to go watch him do Taekwondo once a month and I attend every swim practice over the weekend and soccer practice after my duty hours. No matter how much I try to be present, “mom guilt” never gets easier,

so I cherish every moment I get with my boys and I pray, as they get older that there’s never a time they did not feel my presence.

We came here expecting there would be some challenges, but we also had great expectations that we would leave Korea with a greater appreciation than when we came in.

Although being stationed here in Korea is not new to me because I was stationed at Osan Air Base eighteen years ago (please don’t ask my age), it has been different being assigned to an Army post as an Air Force member. I was surprised to see how big this garrison is and how it is divided by “Old Post” and “New Post.” Additionally, I was immediately sold on coming here when I saw that there was a Texas Roadhouse next to the movie theater. Who could ever say no to the Texas Roadhouse dinner rolls? Yes please! I also like the fact that there are two elementary schools, a huge PX, a great CYS program, a USO center, and several resources at One-Stop to support my family and I. The convenience and efficiency of several resources on post has been extremely valuable.

My husband on the other hand, who is not in the military, has truly been blessed by this experience. This is his first time living abroad and thankfully, he was able to keep his job from the States. His company transferred his position to a branch in Seoul so that he could continue working full time at home. Through practice, he speaks the most Hangul in our family and has also gained a new network of friends through the most popular sport played here in Korea…golf.

Overall, what we had hoped to learn from this Korea experience is exactly what we are doing now—broadening our horizons, learning a new language and culture, and strengthening our resiliency. If I had the choice to return to Korea for a third round, I would not say no.

Give global Change the world

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Meaningful Connection to Fight

“HEOJEONHADA” & Find Your Tribe or “BUJOG”

By Bisirat “B” Sium USAG-H EAPC

InKorea, the word “heojeonhada” (국어의 로마자) captures or expresses those feelings or the state of being lonely. When we feel isolated or perceive ourselves to be disconnected from the groups or people in our environment, we may also be engaging in “social isolation,” which is the voluntary or involuntary absence of contact with others. This isolation or disconnection breeds feelings of emptiness, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression and is prevalent in many countries and communities.

In Japan, 1.5 million young adults are reclusive and engage in this extreme social isolation and are known as “hikikomori” (ひきこもりor 引キコムリ). According to a recent report on CNN (14 April 2023), the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in South Korea announced in March 2023 that it would provide $650,000 (about $500USD) per month to young social recluses to support them to “re-enter society”. The ministry reports that about 3.1% of South Koreans aged 19-39 are lonely and reclusive with 40% beginning their isolation in adolescence. This stipend is available to young people aged 9-24 in households below the median national income of 5.4 million won (about $4156/month for a household of four).

Recent reports from the Army Public Health Center and the 2022 Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee (SPRIRC) found that isolation was one of the leading risk factors for suicides in Korea. An epidemiological study conducted in 2020 by the Army Public Health looking at Behavioral Health and Social Outcomes data for Korea from April 2019 to March 2020 found that loneliness was a significant contributing factor to suicides and other mental health problems. 39% of the 7,134 soldiers surveyed reported experiencing loneliness, 77% of the soldiers who had suicidal thoughts also felt lonely, and 55% of those who reported few or no relationships or social support felt lonely. Similarly, a recent Harvard national survey of 950 Americans found that 36% of respondents reported feeling lonely frequently, almost all the time, or all the time. This number almost doubles for those aged 18-25 to 61%. Psychology

Today reports that 73% of Gen Z (those born 1997-2012) report feeling alone sometimes or always.

Army Public Health defines loneliness as “the perception

of being isolated or disconnected from other people.” The American Psychological Association (APA) defines loneliness as “affective and cognitive discomfort or uneasiness from being or perceiving oneself to be alone or otherwise solitary.” Social scientists describe this as a major public health crisis and an epidemic that began before COVID but has worsened since. In a 2018 Pew Research Center survey found that one in ten Americans reported feeling lonely frequently and in 2020 through 2022 during COVID, that number had jumped to one in four Americans. However, recent results from the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index survey show slight declines in reported loneliness by Americans since the lifting of COVID restrictions.

The effects of loneliness are not only psychological or emotional; research indicates that there are detrimental health impacts such as increased risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, weakened immune system, poor sleep quality and premature death. Further, loneliness can be felt and experienced even if we are not physically or socially isolated from others. For example, have you or someone you know expressed to you how they were surrounded by people or were in a social gathering, but felt utterly alone? Social proximity does not mean or equate to meaningful connection or a sense of belonging. So, this begs the question, how do we minimize feelings of loneliness and build connection with others.

In his book, The Loneliness Cure (a product of 20+ years of research), communication and relationship expert Dr. Kory Floyd offers these six strategies for finding real connection:

1. Be open to receiving affection;

2. Invite and model the type of relationship you seek;

3. Recognize diversity in affection displays;

4. Nurture a variety of affectionate relationships;

5. Beware of toxic affection;

6. Be optimistic but realistic.

The Department of Defense (DOD) Human Performance Resource center recommends the following steps to combat loneliness:

1. Make a one-on-one connection by talking about your day with a friend or relative;

2. Increase your opportunity for social connection;

3. Be curious about others and focus on those around you.

4. Adopt a pet, if possible;

5. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, build meaningful relationships with a variety of different groups;

6. Practice Mindfulness.

We can fight loneliness by creating and seeking opportunities for healthy, meaningful connection. Particularly in overseas assignments, we must find our “tribe” or people we connect with that we enjoy spending time with or who can provide us support and friendship, and vice-versa. Another recommendation from social scientists is also learning to enjoy or embrace time alone to decrease insecurities in social situations by developing self-awareness and social competence.

In their book The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book, Bradberry and Greaves emphasize the need for understanding the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that accompany our feelings of discomfort in social situations so that we may understand and learn to reduce the intensity of those feelings and question the validity of any irrational thoughts or resulting behaviors or anxieties. Increasing self-care, finding healthy hobbies, or ways to serve others is also an effective way of building self-awareness and confidence to help you seek and engage your “tribe” or new circle of friends. This can be accomplished by seeking and engaging in activities, hobbies, or any groups of interest on or off the installation (see the resources below to find available activities/supports). You also can be the catalyst to positive change in your units, offices or communities by initiating or creating opportunities or healthy social engagement groups where people can gather in a shared experience they enjoy, build connection, develop friendships, and create support networks that would help build your “tribe” or “bujog” (부족)

Resilience/Wellness Support Resources

For Free counseling and Resources: Employee Assistance Program Coordinator: DSN: 755-1086 or 0503-355-1086

For info on your MFLC or Volunteer Opportunities: Army Community Service; DSN: 757-2363 or 0503-357-2363

For community events/volunteer opportunities, please contact your volunteer coordinator at ACS: https://humphreys.armymwr.com/programs/army-community-service/ army-volunteer-corps

https://www.facebook.com/acs.humphreys

For all DFMWR activities: https://humphreys.armymwr.com/ https://humphreys.armymwr.com/happenings/fitness-class-schedule

For fun activities and volunteer opportunities, contact the USAG-H BOSS program at DSN: 757-1647 or FB page at: https://www.facebook. com/humphreysboss

For volunteer and connection opportunities: Humphreys USO: https://www.facebook.com/uso.humphreys/ https://korea.uso.org/humphreys-maudehall https://korea.uso.org/humphreys-sentryvillage

For volunteer opportunities; Humphreys Red Cross: https://www.facebook.com/HumphreysARC/

For list of available spiritual activities: please visit the Religious Support Office FB page at: https://www.facebook. com/HumphreysChapel

For the books mentioned in the article and other books on resilience, self-care, and personal growth: please visit your local library: https://humphreys.armymwr.com/programs/duke-memorial-library

For free nutritional/fitness services: Army Wellness Center: DSN: 737-5758 or 0503-337-5758

For 24/7 support for service members and dependents: Military One Source: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/

For additional resources: Army Resilience Directorate: https://www.armyresilience.army.mil/

If your isolation/loneliness persists and you experience thoughts of suicide, please reach out to the 24/7 Crisis Lifeline at DSN: 988 or 0808-555-118

Interview With Matt Bin eld

My Experience With Teacher Appreciation An

Matt Binfield is a second grade teacher at Humphreys Central Elementary School and has been teaching for twenty-three years. He has been teaching in Korea for 13 years, and previously taught for three years in Okinawa and seven years in the United States, in Omaha. In Omaha, Binfield taught kindergarten and first grade. In Okinawa, he taught first and fourth grade. When he was hired by DODEA in 2011, he was hired to teach second grade and that is where he has dedicated himself. We caught up with Binfield at the PX where he took a moment to step in and buy cotton balls for his students’ school project. Here, Binfield shares with United on the RoK why he has stayed in Korea and why we should take every opportunity to lift each other up in the spotlight.

● Why did you decide to stay in Korea?

So when I first came to Korea in 2007, I was working in the Korean schools and it was very easy, it was an easy way of life. It wasn’t difficult to learn the language, you learn how to cope with the things you miss. In 2011, I was offered a position to teach second grade in DODEA. I stayed. I like the food, I know the language, I have

a lot of Korean friends, so when I have problems, it’s a very easy, quick phone call to get whatever support I need, which makes it fairly easy for me to live here.

Then was also the change with DODEA. Until 2018, DODEA offered transfer rounds which meant you could apply to go to a different school or area. They don’t do that anymore so it’s best to accept a position where you see yourself being happy for a while.

● What is a special experience you have had at USAG Humphreys?

A couple years ago, the second graders at Central Elementary were given a prompt as part of their Opinion Writing Unit, to write about a favorite teacher. Their writings were put on display in the hallway and a bunch of the kids had written about me.

One day, I was teaching science, when I noticed two Military Police (MP) walking in our hallway and pacing back and forth. I stepped out to ask if they needed help and they asked if I knew a Mr. Binfield. I replied that it was me and they handed me an MP badge in recognition of the students' writings about me.

For the MPs, whose main job it is to protect our community, to read some opinion writings by 7 and 8 year-olds and celebrate the teacher who works with those students, it was a feeling of appreciation I hadn’t felt before.

Teachers love their students and their families. We are always grateful when we are appreciated, but when it’s from an outside source, it’s even more impactful. It’s not just teachers who need that feeling of appreciation, though. Our MPs, our first re-

sponders, retail workers…everyone needs that feeling.

● How can we show appreciation?

Some ways to show appreciation to those around you without having to spend money include giving a heartfelt thanks, using basic pleasantries like please and thank you, giving compliments, a pat on the back (with permission) and the list can go on. February is Random Acts of Kindness Month and November is World Kindness Month — these are great reminders but you can show gratitude and kindness anytime!

As spring is beginning to bloom, use this time to bloom yourself and become more appreciative of those around you, no matter their job.

● Why does showing appreciation matter?

It is really important to show appreciation to people in our community because in this day and age, feeling appreciated and valued in our work space is a highly coveted feeling. In my field, education, that feeling is one that many teachers don’t get too often.

I have been nominated for Teacher of the Year a couple of times, but that also involves a lot of paperwork, and then that goes up to the district and the district makes the final decision. So receiving the MP patch was the most visible recognition that I have received here. It also gave me a small town feeling.

Having grown up in a small town, there’s the idea that things don’t change. For someone like me who likes change, being on Humphreys where things are constantly changing gives it a nice big city feel.

But then there’s the other small town feel, where people know you. Like the PX employees. One day there was a nice woman who said hi as I first walked in. She was one of my students in 2011 and she graduated last year. She was one of my favorite students. I got to see her grow up and graduate. It was really cool. So, when you are here for a long time, and you have students who are here for a long time, you get to see them grow up.

● What is your message to newcomers or people who are having a hard time getting settled?

I grew up with the mantra that misery is optional and if you are miserable, what can you do to make things not so miserable? There are plenty of things to go out to see and explore. If you are not comfortable going off base, there are things to do on base. Go to the shops, go to the movie theater, go bowling, go to church. If you really want to get out there and just try to do something else, I mean take a day and go hop on any bus, let it take you a few stops, get off and explore the area. If you can’t figure out the bus back, get a taxi, they’re easy to get around in. There’s always stuff going on like the international film festival coming up in early June that usually has a big K-pop concert. There is the sand sculpture festival in Busan this summer (Haeundae Sand Festival). There are places like Gyeongju. There’s so much to go out to see. The 63 building in Seoul is one of my favorite places to go. In my 13 years here, I’ve been in that place probably 25 times. Go and enjoy this wonderful country!

Gwen pictured with other organization leaders at USAG Humphreys

Have you ever walked into a new place, greeted an unfamiliar face and were met with pure warmth and kindheartedness? That warmth and emanating glow is Ellie. Ellie teaches cooking classes for both amateurs and professionals at the Food & Culture Korea in Seoul. My friend and I found her class by chance while searching online for one to take. Despite our tardiness (we felt awful), we were met by an extremely gracious Ellie who immediately made us feel at ease and donned us with our class aprons.

The Class

We opted to start out simple and chose to learn how to make Bulgogi, a pretty basic but delicious Korean dish. Ellie spoke to us about the choice of ingredients, how to ask for the sirloin to be cut at the

Food & Culture Korea

Written and Photographed by Erin Henderso

market and then we got a quick lesson on how soy sauce is made. We learned about the two different soy sauces that are commonly used in Korea. One is the darker soy sauce most people are used to seeing for stir fry dishes. The other is used for soups, has a lighter color, and is a little bit sweeter since it is not fermented as long. Koreans use the lighter one for soups because they do not want their soups to get too dark. We started by chopping our veggies at an angle, which was a first for me (I am not a gourmet cook by any means, for anyone reading this and laughing).

After we chopped veggies, we slowly sautéed our leek and onion, massaged our sirloin with a few simple ingredients and began adding everything else into our frying pan to cook. The process was simple yet fun, and the result so incredibly delicious. Ellie plated our dishes and we sat and enjoyed our creations with a bit of rice and wonderful conversation.

Ellie Hyewon Lee

We lucked out that it was just the two of us for our class so we had a lot of time to learn about Korean cooking, and about Ellie as well. Her mother, Soo Jin Kim, founded Food & Culture Korea in 2003 and taught there alongside Ellie for many years. Sadly, Soo Jin had recently passed unexpectedly and Ellie was still very much grieving that profound loss. Despite these circumstances she still had an infectious smile, and during our class and conversations after, you could tell her passion for Korean cooking ran deep.

Ellie was born and raised in Seoul, and earned her Master’s degree from the Korea University School of International Business. She joined the Food & Culture Korea to help promote the school, and started teaching cooking classes in 2004. Ellie shared that she has traveled all over the world teaching Korean cooking to different restaurants and chefs. In recent years, as Korean cooking gained in popularity, Ellie and her mother traveled to places like Bhutan, Canada, the United States, Japan and many other countries (over 35 in total) to share their passion and knowledge.

Not only does Ellie teach cooking classes, she has also worked extensively with the film industry styling food for shows as well as photo shoots. She has worked with Apple TV, Netflix and many local Korean shows. She even taught a cooking class to a K-Pop star—book a class with her to find out who! Though her accolades are numerous, her spirit remains humble and she is someone you can find yourself chatting with for hours.

As we move toward summer and you find yourself looking for something fun to do with your friends, family, or a significant other, check out the myriad of menu options offered at Food & Culture Korea. The environment is great, the location in Seoul is very convenient to find and the experience is one you won’t soon forget. We are already planning our next class with Ellie to learn how to make dumplings and we cannot wait!

You can find our more about the Food & Culture Korea at http://koreanrecipe.co.kr

Check them on Instagram at:

@foodandculturekorea

@ellie_kitchen

Bulgogi Recipe

Courtesy of Food & Culture Korea

Ingredients (1 single serving)

100g thin sliced beef (sirloin, round top)

50g onion

50g oyster (or any mushroom substitute)

50g leek

Marinade Ingredients

1 TBSP water

1 TBSP dark soy sauce

3 TBSP pear puree (Asian pear)

1 TBSP minced garlic

1 TBSP sesame oil

1-2 tsp ginger juice

1 tsp sesame seeds

1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1-Pat beef slices with paper towel

2-Make marinade

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3-Marinate the beef for 30 minutes in the fridge

4-Slice onions, separate mushrooms and slice leek diagonally

5-Pour oil into a frying pan and stir fry leek and onions. Add the beef slices and cook on high heat for 5 minutes. Once beef is half cooked, add mushrooms and cook for another 3-4 minutes on medium heat. Pour in sesame oil and turn off.

6-Serve on a plate and garnish with sesame seeds.

Day 0

Morning Game Dr ve break ast and check-ou

1. What is Slow Car Wash?

My name is Min Kim and my cousin’s name is Woo Jin Park. We are both 39 years old. I am from Gwangyang city in Jeollanam-do Province and he’s from Gwangju Metropolitan City. We are the founders of Slow Car Wash. We are a team that comes to your house and washes your car. We wash your car interior, exterior, or both. If you want a different service for your vehicle or if you have any questions, send me a message by phone, on Facebook or Instagram.

2. When did you start Slow Car Wash?

We started our company five months ago. Before we launched the company, we spent time practicing outdoor car washing, identifying challenges, and finding solutions. To build further confidence in our business, we had an event where we washed customers' cars for free. We received positive feedback and we were ready to get started.

3. Why did you start the business?

SPOTLIGHTING A NEW CAR WASH COMPANY THAT COMES TO YOU

An Interview with Co-Owner Min Kim

We started our business because we were once customers. We are in another line of business as well and didn’t always have time to wash our own cars. So we used a company that came to our home and washed our car. We used several companies but were not satisfied. We decided to create a customer-centered car wash that was designed to achieve customer satisfaction. We wanted to create a car wash that we would be satisfied with.

4. What is unique about your company?

We work slowly and deliberately, with sincerity and integrity, to provide you with the service you deserve. Many companies in the car wash industry work more quickly. Of course. Quicker wash means more cars washed in a day, which means more money. As a result, many Koreans have a strong distrust of this industry. Our focus is on satisfying one customer at a time. Furthermore, a car wash is hard on the body, so if the worker is tired, the quality of the car wash will inevitably decrease. So we don't wash many cars a day.

5. Where is your business located?

Our business is located in Asan, about 15 minutes driving distance from USAG Humphreys. We can travel to Asan, Pyeongtaek, and Cheonan to clean your car. If the distance is far, there might be an additional fee to cover the cost of gas.

Wherever you are, if you need a car wash, please contact us and we will find the best way possible.

6. What is your contact information?

Mobile: 010. 3994 .8483

Facebook: slowcarwash1

Instagram: slowcar_wash

Testimonials

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“Slow Car Wash is amazing! It was helpful and convenient to have the car wash come to my home. Great results, great price, and to top it all off, the owners are incredibly nice people. Highly recommend!” - Carol

Kojeon Antique: A Warehouse of Treasures

Written by Laura Hales

Photographed by Erin Henderson

In1985, I was living in Belgium where my husband had been finishing his PhD in Brussels. As we began to prepare for our return to Korea, we gave a few of our antique Korean pieces to our very good friends. Our Belgian friends were fascinated by the Korean antiques that we had with us. So much so that our best friend decided to open an Asian antique shop in Brussels. At first, I helped her source

antiques from Korea. After returning to Korea, I continued to send Korean antiques to her shop. The more I searched, the more I got interested in this business myself.

In 1987, I opened my own shop in Itaewon. My small hobby had turned into a business. It was an exciting time to do business in Korea.

The 1988 Seoul Olympics ignited Korea’s economy and heralded the arrival of South Korea on the world stage. I had the honor of having

customers from all over the world, including the King of Belgium Baudouin, the Queen of Spain, and the President of France.

Just a few years after opening my shop, we had established our reputation among furniture dealers and buyers. We expanded into the wholesale business and offered reproduction. I decided to start my own factory in Yongin; initially it was a small establishment and over the years, I expanded the land which

became the Kojeon gallery as you can see it now.

In 1992, I had the opportunity to visit Beijing through a good French friend who lived there and was interested in Chinese antiques. At the time, valuable antiques from the elite and bourgeois that had been confiscated by Chinese officials during the cultural revolution were still in warehouses because they didn’t know what to do with the items. I got as many as I could and imported them from China to Korea. From then on, my eyes were drawn to Asian furniture beyond Korea to include Thailand, India, and many other places.

In 1998, my husband passed away from liver cancer and I moved to Beijing to heal. My children were in university and medical school then, so I threw myself into my work. I had a factory in Beijing for over a decade. It was a very inter-

Kojeon Antique is where classical elegance meets modern chic. We are dedicated to impeccable quality control, unique and creative designs, and reasonable and rapid production.

esting time to live in China. As the city of Beijing expanded, we had to move several times to the outskirts of Beijing. In 2006, because of the rise in labor costs, material prices, the leveling of technology and other factors, I closed my factory in Beijing and returned full-time to my warehouse in Yongin.

My antiques come from a variety of sources. Some of them are from small town shops or dealers in the countryside. I also get them from auctions or buy them from individuals, most often young couples who inherit heirlooms from their grandparents. Presently, the collection at Kojeon can be broken down as 60% antiques, 10% vintage, and 30% reproduction. We sell to individual customers, interior designers, and movie/TV drama production companies. We import new collections from China at least two to three times each year. The

addition of Korean antiques into our collection is less predictable, but we have a steady supply from long established business partners and individual sellers.

Korean furniture reflects our distinct four seasons. Our winters are cold and dry, our summers are hot and humid. The wood and style of our furniture are designed to go with this climate, especially to protect our clothes, books, and grains from damage. Also, Korea has our unique "ondol" system and we sleep, eat, and sit on the floor, unlike in China where people traditionally used chairs and in the West where people sleep on beds.

Korean antiques are therefore boxshaped for easy access from sitting on the floor (as opposed to opening while standing up). Koreans like simplicity and elegance instead of flashy ornaments or carving. Our antiques show their beauty through

the natural shape, grain, and color of the wood.

An interesting antique people tend to overlook is the Bandaji or rice chest, and it is my favorite antique. It's a type of chest that opens halfway, and is distinctively Korean. Since Koreans used to sleep on the floor, we would fold and put away our blankets and pillows each morning. The blankets would be placed on top of the bandaji for easy access, and we would store off-season clothes inside the chest. The basic shape is similar, but each region has its own style. You can usually tell where it's from by the wood or the decorative iron on the outside. I also like it because it is so versatile. The

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size is not too big, not too small, and can be used in so many ways.

Antiques are special because they are unique. You will not find the same piece anywhere else.

Korean antiques are quite different from our neighbors' (China or Japan) and have their own aesthetic style. I recommend focusing on whether you like looking at the piece and whether it's something that gives you joy and pleasure, rather than focusing on how old it is or how hard it is to find. If it's for your home, also consider how it will flow with the rest of your decor.

You are always welcome to our gallery to peruse the collection, ask questions, or talk shop.

For information on advertising opportunities with United on the RoK, reach out to oriental.press.eric@gmail.com

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If you are looking to pitch a story, submit an article, send corrections or editorial feedback, reach out to editor@unitedontherok.com

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“The OSS in Korea: Operation Eagle” –A Recap of a Failed Mission

By Bill Streifer

at the end of WWII. During the war, the entire Korean peninsula was occupied by Imperial Japan.

Operation Eagle was conducted in accordance with an agreement reached in October 1944 between the OSS and Korean General Lee Bum-suk of the Korean Restoration Army. On April 1, 1945, a meeting was held between Captain Clyde B. Sargent (later the OSS Eagle field commander) and General Lee at a small Tientsin (also known as Tianjin) restaurant in Chungking, China.

During that meeting, the bulk of their conversation centered around the “reciprocal advantages” of Korean-American occupation in the war against Imperial Japan. Sargent, who had expressed his hope that such cooperation would have the support of all Korean leaders and groups, was invited to visit a Korean colony 12 kilometers north of Chungking along with a delegation from the Korean Provisional Government in exile.

his control to locate and evacuate POWs.

Upon receipt of news that President Truman had accepted the unconditional surrender of Japan, Operation Eagle departed Hsian on August 16, 1945 at 04:30 for Keijo aboard a C-47 cargo plane. Lieutenant Colonel Willis Bird of Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, Deputy Chief of the OSS in China, was in command. In addition to nineteen Americans and three Koreans, Bird also invited Harry R. Lieberman, chief news editor of the Office of War Information (OWI) – China Branch, and a photographer.

According to Professor Maochun Yu, the author of OSS in China: Prelude to Cold War, “Bird, ever publicly conscious and eager to gain fame by ‘liberating’ Korea single-handedly, added a Mr. Lieberman—an OWI writer—to the Eagle mission in violation of Heppner’s specific orders.” Although several of the Japanese officers spoke English, the proceedings were carried out in Japanese, with Captain Hahm interpreting. Bird immediately explained the purpose of the mission and requested assistance from the Japanese in accomplishing it:

Bird: I am here at the direction of Lieutenant General Albert C. Wedemeyer, Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Forces in the China Theater, as an initial pre-Allied occupation representative to bring whatever help is needed to Allied prisoners of war to make preliminary arrangements for their future evacuation in accordance with the terms of the

peace negotiations.

Ihara: Then you are not here to negotiate a surrender?

Bird: No. Our mission is purely humanitarian, to see that the prisoners are safe and to bring them what immediate help they need.

“The OSS in Korea: Operation Eagle” begins with a discussion of Blacklist, General Douglas MacArthur’s basic outline plan for the occupation of Japan once hostilities during WWII had ended. It called for the disarmament and demobilization of enemy forces, the establishment of a military government, the preservation of law and order, and the apprehension of Japanese war criminals. It also called for the recovery, relief, and repatriation of Allied prisoners of war and civilian internees “without delay.”

By war’s end, 32,400 men remained interned in POW camps in Japan and Korea, which had been under Japanese control since 1910. The American public, however, was unaware of the neglect, maltreatment, and abuse the prisoners had suffered at the hands of the Japanese. Nor were they aware that 30 percent of American POWs had already died in captivity. And yet, according to a February 1945 article in The New York Times, the “Japanese are not invariably cruel to their prisoners.”

The article “The OSS in Korea: Operation Eagle” by Bill Streifer is available in full in the American Intelligence Journal and on JSTOR.

In2012, I wrote about an American prisoner-of-war (POW) rescue mission during World War II, conducted by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the forerunner of the CIA. Originally intended for publication as a book, an abbreviated version of “The OSS in Korea: Operation Eagle” was instead published as a 6-page article for the American Intelligence Journal, the flagship publication of the National Military Intelligence Agency.

The quote below by Dr. John W. Brunner, a former member of the OSS, introduces the article. In it, Brunner discusses the failure of the Eagle OSS mission and who he blames for the mission’s failure:

“At the time I was in charge of the cryptography section in Kunming HQ and I got to see all high level radio traffic for all of China… I was very well informed about what was going on everywhere in China. When Eagle got chased out of Korea we all laughed and said that Col. Bird had fouled up again.” – John Brunner.

“The OSS in Korea: Operation Eagle” in a Nutshell

The area of operations for the Eagle rescue mission — named for the bird that symbolizes America — was Keijo/ Seoul, the future capital of South Korea. Eagle was to be carried out by the OSS just prior to cessation of hostilities

The article, “The OSS in Korea,” explains the purpose and timing of the Eagle mission; the difficulties encountered; and an explanation for the crew’s inability to carry out the mission as planned. The article also explains that although POW rescue work was the purview of the War Department, the OSS— ”America’s first intelligence agency”—was invited to join the effort, providing cover for intelligence operations.

In January 1945, U.S. Secretary of State Edward Stettinius informed the Director of the OSS, Major General William J. Donovan, of the State Department’s effort to learn what was happening to American prisoners inside Japanese POW and internment camps. In March, Colonel Richard Heppner, the Chief of the OSS in China under Lieutenant General Albert Wedemeyer, ordered the establishment of a new OSS field unit to be based in Hsian, northern China, 1000 miles west of Keijo (now Seoul), Korea.

The abrupt end of WWII on August 15, 1945 caught the OSS by surprise. Heppner wrote in a message to Donovan, “Although we have been caught with our pants down, we will do our best to pull them up in time.” Consequently, Wedemeyer immediately issued a “comprehensive directive” to various special agencies under

Recreating Mountains with theDyeingPaintingMethod

By Kim Eun-sook

Iam an artist based in Seoul and my method is dyeing painting, a work expressed pictorially through natural dyeing techniques.

Even as a child, mountains captured my imagination and inspired my creativity. Mudeungsan Mountain, which I could see as a child growing up in Gwangju, in my mind, is like a hometown. Maisan Mountain in Jinan, Jeollabuk-do, which I climbed when I was in college, is a mountain of memories. Gwanak Mountain and Bukhan Mountain, which I see when cross-

ing the Han River bridge during my commute, are always conscious in my artistic mind. Mountains hold many memories for me and are a constant theme in my artistic expression.

In my art pieces, I recreate the mountains as I experienced them, framing the sentiment, such as the mountain that reminded me of my hometown.

However, my expression method is dyeing cloth and it is almost impossible to paint with dyeing.

When a particular color is dyed on the cloth, the color spreads. In

other words, it is challenging for the creator to control the smudging of the colors at will. Moreover, how do we make it possible to dye the distinct boundaries of different colors in the paintings represented by lines? I struggled to find such an expression.

At the beginning, I tried to wet only a part of the cloth, but it did not provide a satisfactory outcome. The solution I found was to cut the dyed cloth into the shape of the object and to superimpose the fabrics cut in that way. The mountain is very suitable for this method

of expression.

The general appearance is the mountain view from the Korean city with the mountains behind it drawn in succession.

In the first work of the mountain series, "Mudeung Mountain," where the sun and moon rest, there is a sunrise with the mountain and a moon that has not yet set. This is also a cut and paste of dyed cloth.

As a result, the painting expressed by dyeing looks flat but is also three-dimensional. Accordingly, the mountain and the sky in the background have a texture and gradation as in reality. This is a natural and accidental expression

of dyeing, but it is not entirely left to chance. My intention is to make the mountains appear real, as I saw and experienced them. I vary the time to curl or dye the fabric from part to part, and deliberately cut the cloth for the art to resemble a specific mountain.

As such, intentions and coincidences intersect, so the surface is natural as if it were real. The subtle texture of the natural change in shade of colors is part of the charm of my work. Needless to say, the dyeing is a product of hard work.

The dyeing painting method I use requires me to make all the dyes myself. The fabric's color to

be dyed varies widely depending on whether I am working with silk, cotton, or ramie. In addition, appropriate values such as temperature, time, salt concentration, and bath ratio (the amount of water required to make a salt solution) should be found. The work results from creative ideas, skills in intricate technique, and hard work.

Dyeing is a life-giving operation, because life is symbolized by light and color. A white cloth, when colored, seems to come to life. I have been devoted to dyeing, and now opened a new chapter in dyeing painting by giving the dyed fabric a shape.

Kim Eunsook

Phone: 010-2475-6447

Email: esekimm@naver.com

Job: Vice President, Gonghang Middle School

"View from Bukhan Mountain, Haengjusanseong Fortress" | 88.5×29.5 | Marigold, Indigo, Logwood, Cochineal, ramie | 2022 © Kim Eun-sook

"Mudeungsan Mountain where the sun and the moon rest" | 63×27 | Sappan Wood, Indigo, Branch, Shell, Ramie | 2022 © Kim Eun-sook

"Gifts, Colors from Nature" | Turmeric, Marigold, Madder, Sappan Wood, Cocinil, Gromwell, Lac, Indigo, Mugwort, Charcoal Powder, Logwood, Nutgall, Silk & Digital Print | 2021-2022 © Kim Eun-sook

"Seongsan Ilchulbong" | 48×20 | Logwood, Merigold, Sappan Wood, Indigo, Ramie |2022 © Kim Eun-sook

"View from Mt. Bukak, Sejong-Road" | 49×20 | Ink, Ramie | 2022 © Kim Eun-sook

BEACON HILL: USAG Humphreys Memorial Park

By Sergeant Jessica M. Night, U.S. Army

The United States Army Garrison (USAG) Humphreys Memorial Park is located on Camp Humphreys in the city of Pyeongtaek (평택시). The Memorial Park serves as a remembrance of those who served the U.S. and Republic of Korea during times of peace and war. It is also a tribute to the essence of service to our countries, which is "sacrifice.” As the motto of the park states: "All gave some, some gave all.” The memorial markers pay tribute to individuals, however the park was established in remembrance of all who served during the Korean War. The individuals recognized in the park include Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin K. Humphreys; CWO William J. Lingle Jr.; SP4 Jack L. White; SP5 Oscar Ramirez; SGT Ronald E. Wells; CW2 Joseph A. Miles; SGT Robert C. Haynes; CPT Edward Dostal; CW2 Guy E. Laughlin Jr.; SSG Granville A.

Morgan; SGT James W. Smith; 1st Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez, U.S. Marine Corps; Yi Ung Su; James Conley; Thomas Dressel; Leo Meneghetti; Clyde Tinsley; Bryn Everitt; Joe Moore; Sabastian Luizzi; Garn L. Fullmer; Tom J. McEuen; Felteus M. Edwards; and CPT Reginald Desiderio.

CW2 Benjamin K. Humphreys

The first memorial was placed on USAG Humphreys in 1962 in honor of CW2 Benjamin K. Humphreys from 6th Transportation Company (Light Helicopter). Humphreys served as a Post Special Services Officer and was killed in a helicopter accident on 13 November 1961 near Osan-Ni, Kyung-Gi Do. In 1962, the base was renamed Camp Humphreys in his honor. CWO William J. Lingle Jr., SP4 Jack L. White and SP5 Oscar

Ramirez were also crew members on this fatal flight and are also named on the memorial.

Blackcat 488

SGT Ronald E. Wells was one of three killed on 14 July 1977 when their Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down by North Korean ground fire after it accidentally crossed the DMZ. One pilot was injured and captured, which is how we know

Medal of Honor recipient 1LT Baldomero Lopez served in Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division of the U.S. Marine Corps is also remembered at the site. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on September 15, 1950 at Inchon for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a rifle platoon commander of Company A, in action against ene-

the story about how they came to cross the DMZ by mistake. Also killed were CW2 Joseph A. Miles and SGT Robert C. Haynes. They were all assigned to the 213th Aviation Company, 19th Aviation Battalion based at Camp Humphreys at Pyeongtaek, South Korea.

Blackcat 511

CPT Edward Dostal was one of four killed on 2 March 1977, when their Boeing CH-47C (67-18511) helicopter crashed during a classified operational air mission about 20 miles southeast of Pyeongtaek. They were proceeding from Camp Humphreys to Camp Ames. The other members of Blackcat 511 who were killed were CW2 Guy E. Laughlin Jr., SSG Granville A. Morgan and SGT James W. Smith.

1st Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez, U.S. Marine Corps

my aggressor forces. With his platoon 1st Lt. Lopez was engaged in the reduction of immediate enemy beach defenses after landing with the assault waves. Exposing himself to hostile fire, he moved forward alongside a bunker and prepared to throw a hand grenade into the next pillbox whose fire was pinning down that sector of the beach. Taken under fire by an enemy automatic weapon and hit in the right shoulder and chest as he lifted his arm to throw, he fell backward and dropped the deadly missile. After a moment, he turned and

Corporal Lee Jeong Joo

The memorial shown below reads “Corporal Lee Jeong Joo. Rest in Peace. Died on the 13th of May 1970.” He died in a training accident.

Memorial for our Fallen Retirees

This memorial pays tribute to James (Jim) Conley (1939-2004), U.S. Army; Thomas (Tom) Dressel (1948-

2004), U.S. Army; Leo Meneghetti (1943-2005) U.S. Army; Clyde Tinsley (1935-2006) Air Force; Bryn (Pappy) Everitt (1934-2006) U.S. Army; Joe Moore (January 6, 2000); Sabastian Luizzi (March 20, 2000), Garn L. Fullmer (December 2, 2000); Tom J. McEuen (January 2002); and Felteus M. Edwards, U.S. Army

The Tree of Remembrance

The Tree of Remembrance was planted on 16 March 2007 by Mrs. Betty Humphreys in honor of CW2 Benjamin K. Humphreys.

Memorial for Medal of Honor Recipient CPT Reginald Desiderio

dragged his body forward in an effort to retrieve the grenade and throw it. In critical condition from pain and loss of blood, and unable to grasp the hand grenade firmly enough to hurl it, he chose to sacrifice himself rather than endanger the lives of his men and, with a sweeping motion of his wounded right arm, cradled the grenade under him and absorbed the full impact of the explosion. His exceptional courage, fortitude, and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon 1st Lt. Lopez and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Yi Ung Su

A memorial on the site is dedicated to Yi Ung Su of the 22nd Korean Service Corp in honor of his outstanding commitment to the U.S.-ROK alliance.

CPT Reginald Desiderio of Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on November 27, 1950 at Ipsok, Korea. Desiderio distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His company was given the mission of defending the command post of a task force against an enemy breakthrough. After personal reconnaissance during darkness and under intense enemy fire, he placed his men in defensive positions to repel an attack. Early in the action he was wounded, but refused evacuation and despite enemy fire continued to move among his men checking their positions and making sure that each element was prepared to receive the next attack. Again wounded, he continued to direct his men. By his inspiring leadership he encouraged them to hold their position. In the subsequent fighting when the fanatical enemy succeeded in penetrating the position, he personally charged them with carbine, rifle, and grenades, inflicting many casualties until he himself was mortally wounded. His men, spurred on by his intrepid example, repelled this final attack. He died that day on November 27, 1950. CPT Desiderio's heroic leadership, courageous and loyal devotion to duty, and his complete disregard for personal safety reflect the highest honor on him and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.

Team Hager

Our Journey Together

By Bethany Hager

Myfriend and I were out celebrating my 30th birthday when I met Lloyd… A few months later we were happily engaged, and in a whirlwind of love, we whisked ourselves off to Las Vegas to say “I do” in front of Elvis!

Newly married, living in a small, cramped 500 sq ft apartment, we spent most of our time working. I was an Art Instructor, with a Bach-

elor’s of Science in Art Education and five year’s experience teaching under my belt. I was fully independent and enjoying my career and lifestyle. Lloyd had a few months to go with his current assignment and was waiting on his next set of military orders. During his down time, he made a wonderful house husband. I came home to a clean house and he had dinner waiting when I got home from work. I could see myself living happily ever

after like this!

So applying young couple logic, we both made the decision to follow his military career, and I quit my job. Together, he and I were off to see the world and find where this journey would take us!

SOUTH CAROLINA

Fast forward many, many years later to 2016, and we thought we hit the jackpot! We were thrilled

to get three-year orders to South Carolina! This was our tenth duty station. By then, I was getting tired of relocating all the time and we had three energetic girls who were in elementary and middle school. This seemed to be a great place for us.

Yay, I thought, I’m finally going back to the South. With three years to stay put, I can teach again! I would have time to unpack, settle in, relax, and decorate a house. We bought a cute little house, with a big backyard for the girls to play in. It’s situated across the street from the water, so of course, we had to buy a boat! Just to add to our list of toys, we also got a little pink golf cart to drive around the neighborhood.

For the first three months, we got really cozy, then we received a congratulatory phone call that we were going to relocate to California! I was in tears! I just couldn’t believe it. The first thing that popped into my mind was that I should not have considered settling down. I would have preferred to live on base if we were only going to be there for less than a year and would not have purchased a house. I reflected on how much we had invested into all those things to make South Carolinia our home. At that point, I was mentally exhausted wrapping my head around the idea of packing up again.

As I was crying, I was also totally dreading telling the girls. I asked myself, “How in the world do I tell the girls we are moving again, when we just got here?”

While I was attempting to mentally prepare myself to tell the girls the shocking news, it spilled out.

“Daddy got orders to move to California!” To my surprise, without

missing a beat, all three screamed in unison, “Yay!!! Hollywood here we come!”

I’ll never forget the excitement they showed that morning, the thrill of three little ones jumping up and down in joy. These girls were right back onto another adventure! Selfishly, I had to ask: “Are you sure? Daddy can go one year unaccompanied and we don’t have to pack up and move again.”

They insisted that they didn’t want to leave daddy. “He can’t go to California all alone,” they said. It’s team Hager! The reaction gave me so much strength to do this all over again. My little girls showed me that sticking together is best for our family. They gave me the strength to focus on enjoying what was left of our South Carolina tour.

As time moved on, I remained frustrated about the idea that we were leaving South Carolina. We had met wonderful neighbors and the girls were in a good school. Plus, I was exhausted! At that point, we had many moves under our belt over a short period of time. One year at a schooling program in Washington DC, two years in Hawaii, two years again in Washington DC and now one year in South Carolina. So many places I felt like I was losing count! I have to keep a detailed list on my computer, just to help me remember!

The fact was, if we kept moving at that rate, we might as well just

live in a mobile home. So I told my husband, if we are all going together as a family, pets and all, let’s sell everything and get an RV! So we did. We sold just about everything and traded in his paid-off Toyota Tundra for a 34 ft RV, that he could drive while I made sandwiches and everyone could use the restroom on the go!

Summer of 2017 we packed the huge rig up with three wild pre-teenage girls, a tiny puppy, an elderly cat and a vicious green-cheeked conure bird. California or bust!

We drove down the I-95 to the I-10 and headed West, parking our RV on friends’ driveways as often as possible—we felt like cousin Eddie from the National Lampoon's Family Christmas! Along the way, we experienced all types of RV parks and now have a zillion stories and many wonderful, funny, lasting memories.

CALIFORNIA

We arrived safely in California and parked our RV right on the beach, where the girls could enjoy as much of the summer as possible. Before we knew it, we found a house in Temecula. Lloyd had a beautiful drive to and from work, the girls could walk to their new schools and I could enjoy a swimming pool with a view of the mountains. When Lloyd was available on holidays, we drove that RV up and down the beautiful coastal areas of California. Our two years were quickly up, and Lloyd was accepted to the Army War College.

I thought, here we go again, another one-year assignment. I

found myself asking the girls, “Do you want to stay in sunny California and daddy can go unaccompanied for one year or do you want to go to Pennsylvania for one year?”

The girls were absolutely not letting daddy go alone. There you have it, we were planning our next great journey across the USA.

ally unloaded into our temporary historical home in downtown Carlisle.

Lloyd was very busy with school and the girls and I were enjoying the historic town of Carlisle, when halfway through our year in Pennsylvania, the COVID pandemic hit. The Army War College and the kids’ school were shut down and both became an online experience.

We tried to focus on positivity. Our family bonded. We even had the unique experience of watching daddy grow a beard. The girls

have the RV so that we could pack ourselves up and take off to our next destination.

PENNSYLVANIA

Along our merry way, we drove the RV North along the California coast up into Oregon, then along the upper part of the USA — a new experience for us. We stopped to see more friends and family along the way and eventu-

plays and making indoor games. The girls loved preparing lovely fancy dinners for Lloyd and me where we had to dress in fancy gowns — us adults dove into creating new cocktails for ourselves called “kick covid-Emergen-C martinis!”

With all this creativity busting throughout our house, we were also packing and preparing our house for our next adventure. We

were very excited to get threeyear orders to Okinawa! My third daughter was born at Lester Hospital, the U.S. Naval Hospital at Okinawa. The girls grew up listening to Okinawa stories, so much so, that we always wanted to go back, so they could experience it for themselves. Obviously we couldn’t take the RV overseas. We were extremely lucky and found a wonderful family who were happy to maintain it while we are gone. We tried to get our dogs plane tickets, however due to COVID, the airlines canceled our pet travel with very little notice. So, in order to keep the team together, Lloyd rented a large van to drive to Seattle. We loaded it up with three teenagers, a 65-pound energetic poodle, a 7-pound tiny silky terrier and all our luggage.

This was all happening during lockdowns, a scary pandemic, can

I say, the aura was post-apocalyptic…we were nervous!

OKINAWA

After an exhausting journey, we arrived safely and we were greeted graciously in Okinawa. Finally, we could relax! We were 99% percent sure that we were staying in Okinawa for three years. There’s no chance, well maybe a 1% chance, of anything happening! We dove into our living arrangement. My oldest was driving her and her new friends to Kubasuki High School in her cute little pink Japanese car. My other two were running around the neighborhood with their new besties and walking to malls, shopping at the Daiso. Together as a family, we were hiking, snorkeling, zip lining, driving to the beach, walking around American Village — we were living the Okinawa dream. A few months into settling comfortably in Okinawa, the 1% chance of us relocating happened. Lloyd was selected for a prestigious position in South Korea.

I was excited about the idea

of living in Korea, we could not pass this experience up! But, how would I tell the girls? I bought a beautiful piece of local art, wrapped it up and attached a card. Written inside the card was “Explore all you can now, because this summer we are moving to KOREA!”

I had one crying, one mad and my oldest who gave in and shouted “Yes! 12th grade, 12th school.. Let’s do this!” I really did think that relocating to Korea would be good news, but the reaction of my two youngest daughters broke my heart, so I told them, “We have an option, Lloyd can go for one year unaccompanied, that way us girls can stay here!” All three didn’t skip a beat, “We are all going with dad!” All I could think was wow, my daughters have always had the “let’s do this” attitude and the strength to ride out this roller coaster of a lifestyle, as a family.

SOUTH KOREA

So then, we found ourselves living in South Korea and residing on the quaintest little military base called Camp Walker with our three teenage daughters who all attended Daegu Middle High School and two dogs that drive me crazy. There is a great community here, particularly with the spouses that tie us all together and an amazing school that is always finding ways to keep all of the students involved. The Evergreen Golf Course is great for golf but also as a venue for homecoming, prom, and Command events. Night golf as a family was one of the best MWR events we have seen across all thirteen duty stations we have called home. Our two years have flown by and

our tour will end soon. Yup, here we go again, we are moving this summer! Uprooting ourselves from another good home. We move every one to two years. A constant motion of packing up the house, unloading the house and doing it all over again. As we prepare for our move, I ponder, how in the world do we handle this lifestyle? I came up with five things that have gotten my Team Family through it:

MY PAST EXPERIENCE

As I reflect, I think that I might have always been drawn to a nomadic lifestyle. After high school graduation, I spent a few years at a small college, then transferred to a larger university. I found my first job as a teacher’s aide, before landing my career of choice in North Carolina, far away from where I grew up in Pittsburgh. While I was a teacher, I relocated from apartment to apartment, before bumping into Lloyd on Front Street in Wilmington, NC

FAMILY & FRIENDS

Growing up, my father always insisted that there is so much more out there in the world and to always go explore: “Life is outside the house! Go experience life! Never stop moving!” At one point in my father’s life, he himself was an expat living in Costa Rica. He passed away years ago, and since then, I have had no one else on my side of my family. I directed my focus solely on my little family; Lloyd and the girls, along with the support from Lloyd’s parents.

When the girls and I are not exploring, we get involved in the community, enjoying all our

new friendships. I’ve had such pleasure meeting spouses from all over the world! The military spouse community really is a family. Positive or negative, my military spouses have all taught me some valuable things that I will carry with me forever. We make each other stronger, smarter, and more resilient.

WHERE’S HOME?

Remember the AFN commercial where the lady is asked, “So, where are you from?” and the other lady starts naming all her duty stations, or place of birth and so on? That's us!

Relocating 13 times over the 22

years of being a military wife, I have called a lot of places home! So I focus on my girls and whatever the current country or state that we reside in.

Don’t ask my girls where they are from, it’s terribly confusing! I would say, “home” is being a part of the community you are in. It is made up of the people you choose as the friends you are currently hanging with, or the ones we adopt along the way that we choose as family.

I was watching a movie with Lloyd the other day where there was a scene in Colombia. It reminded me of my friend Lena, a spouse in DC, who now lives there. Our home has spread around the world, on many different contents. There is a positive effect of the diversity that makes up our home around the world.

GET INVOLVED

You can get involved in just about anything your heart desires! The sky's the limit now, just look on Facebook you will find all kinds of activities. On base, you have welcome briefs, signups for clubs, and spouses’ groups where you can meet new people who are in the same position as you. Lloyd and I love to host monthly events at our house or local restaurants. It is a great way to introduce new people coming into the community and to say farewell to folks heading off to their next duty station.

My girls have had awesome opportunities to play school sports that they would not have had anywhere else, and the variety of sports have been amazing. At different duty stations they have played field hockey, lacrosse, golf,

soccer, and even some skiing and surfing. There are great opportunities in sports on base for adults as well. Lloyd and I have gone to the gym and even did yoga at a couple of duty stations.

Find a church, no matter what your religion is, the doors are open for participation in things like vacation bible school and chapel events. Even if you have not had any experience with church growing up, the chapel is a great place to meet nice welcoming people in a new community.

Find a hobby. While stationed in Hawaii, it was fun to take private golf lessons and split the cost with another friend. I had many friends who enjoyed this activity with me and we all made some great memories!

Travel, there are some great opportunities, especially while overseas to visit some great places. The local travel office has packages built to meet just about every interest.

THINKING ABOUT WHAT KEEPS US GOING

Over the 22 years of living this nomadic lifestyle, sometimes I'm surprised that I haven’t decided to jump ship! It’s probably due to the fact that early on, Lloyd and I decided that once this particular lifestyle becomes undesirable, and we both find no joy out of it, we will get out—we will stay together as a team, Team Hager. Lloyd and I established ourselves as teammates. We balance each other out, he works well on certain things and I do well on other things.

We have been through thick and thin together, constantly talk about our future together, and benefit from three girls that seem

to like the element of surprise. I started a little tradition by surprising the girls when we get our orders. We create a dream list of places to go see, and they get a kick out of the presentation of a gift box, opening it and inside reading a note to see if their dream location is our next destination.

I personally love to dive into the research of a new area. Finding new schools, new homes, and new activities that the girls can get involved with and building ideas of fun things we will do at our next home. I always ask the girls to choose our new lifestyle— do we want to be city girls? Or country girls? Do we want to be beach surfing girls? Live on base or off base? The girls love to get involved with the decision making. Plus, what’s more fun than to decorate their new rooms!

Time is flying by really fast these days. My oldest flew the nest last year and now is off in college. My middle child graduates next year and my youngest has two years left in high school. Lloyd’s mandatory retirement date is creeping up on us, it will arrive before we know it. We have been doing this lifestyle for so long… We’ve created memories to last us a couple of lifetimes. My heart tells me, we’ve been doing this nomadic lifestyle for so long, it will be difficult to stop this rollercoaster!

We’ve created so many wild, fun stories, it’s been an amazing journey and I will miss these adventures we made as a family. But right now, I am focusing on our next plan, as we get ready to pick up our RV and embark on our next adventure!

Beenies Journey Summer 2023

From an Average Spouse to Spouse Club President

By Sarah Piper

Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Some have big personalities, others are quieter, either way their presence is tangible. They always appear like they have the answers, or that they have everything together.

My family and I PCS’d to South Korea in March of 2021. COVID

restrictions were in full effect and we had to quarantine at Camp Humphreys for two weeks before reaching our final destination at Camp Walker, located in the heart of Daegu, the third largest city in South Korea. In April 2021, we settled into on-post housing at Baekje Tower.

At any duty station, the idea of seeking out friendships can be a struggle, but it seemed easy here.

The playground that’s nestled between Shilla Tower and Baekje Tower was the hot spot! With the off-post COVID restrictions at the time, it was a comfortable environment for our son to make new friends and for my husband and I to meet families. There are always plenty of kids and families out, especially during the warmer months. Even though this was our sixth

year, it was our first PCS and overseas tour. I remember feeling overwhelmed at first, but things soon settled down. One day, I was approached by someone I had recently met. She had a smile on her face every time I saw her out and about. She had a bubbly personality, and was comforting to be around. She talked to me about joining the spouses club that’s on base, the Daegu Civilian & Spouses Club (DCSC). The DSCS is a nonprofit organization that operates the on-post AppleTree Thrift Store and gives back to the Area IV community through volunteering, welfare grants, scholarships, and community outreach events.

My previous experience with a spouse club was at Fort Bragg. Though my time with the Fort Bragg Spouse Club was cut short by my pregnancy and the birth of our son, I felt I had a good understanding of the purpose of the spouse club and volunteering. There was no pressure to join the

DCSC board, but she was persistent and thought I would be a great addition. I received a list of open positions, including duty descriptions and expectations. After considering the options and settling into life in Daegu, I decided to take the Welfare Chair position in August 2021. A few weeks later, I sat down with the President of the DCSC to learn a bit more about the position, expectations, and how the Board operated. Little did I know that a year later I would be President.

During February of 2022, I received a phone call from the President of the DCSC. She wanted to talk to me about nominating me for the President's position for the next year. If you're familiar with spouses clubs, SFRG's, etc., most of the leadership roles are Senior Spouses, and that wasn't me. My husband at the time was a Staff Sergeant and I was just a volunteer in different areas of the community. Honestly, I was surprised when she approached me with the idea. I've never thought of

myself as someone who needs the spotlight or wants to be in charge. I never thought of myself as someone who is great, or someone that can lead. I just wanted to do my best to help where I'm needed, in hopes that I've made a difference. She told me to take some time to think about it. She seemed confident that I was a good fit and that I would do great things for DSCS and the community. As of May 2023, I have served as the President of DCSC for about one year, which is a full term. This has certainly been the experience of a lifetime. Despite some challenges and bumps along the way, I have proven to myself that rank doesn't matter. Trusting yourself, your compassion, thoughtfulness, kindness, and the good advice of friends and advisors, matters the most as a leader. Lately, I've been reminded of this and I'm starting to see what others see in me. So, if you're that quiet one in the room, never feel like you're average, you just might be President one day.

Kimchi Making Process: Cabbage Kimchi

By Kristine Provins

Kimchi

recipes are passed from generation to generation and because of that, there are many variations of how to make kimchi and their recipes. My friend Yoonjeong Lee graciously opened her home to us. She invited us to join her and shared her family’s tradition of making cabbage kimchi. Her friends Olivia Kim and Joanne Lee also assisted in the process. Preparation can take as long as you and your family/friends choose.

She explained that historically, as the cold season approaches, and before winter officially starts, Koreans

prepare to make (large) amounts of cabbage kimchi to last them throughout the winter season (Nov – Mar). The tradition started in anticipation of the cold harsh winter and short food supply due to weather affecting vegetation growth. Nowadays, families get together to make kimchi to continue the family tradition and bond. Traditionally, kimchi would be buried in onggi pots (옹기); at present, kimchi is refrigerated. After all is done, families and friends sit and eat the freshly made kimchi along with other various dishes to include boiled samgyupsal (Korean bacon) and oysters.

Kimchi is a fermented food high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, as well as various probiotics, and offers advantages such as supporting your immune system, promoting weight loss, fighting inflammation, and even slowing the aging process. It is also full of beta-carotene and other antioxidant compounds that can help reduce the risk of serious health conditions such as stroke, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Of course, along with positives, there are some potential disadvantages. Kimchi is high in sodium content, and people with high blood pressure should take heed and consume in moderation. Other drawbacks are its spiciness which may cause acid reflux, and for others, the smell and taste alone could be a deterrent.

Of note: The longer you store Kimchi – the more sour it becomes. Sour kimchi is well suited for: Stew (Kimchijigae), Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbap), Kimchi Pancake (Kimchi Buchimgae), or Kimchi Dumplings (Kimchi Mandu).

The following recipe/ingredients makes enough for a family of 5.

Ingredients/Description:

Napa cabbage (prep day before) – for salting

- 5 kg cabbage

- 800-900 grams of sea salt

- Water

Cut cabbage in half, soak in water to wet, salt each leaf

• NOTE: To split a cabbage in half without shredding the densely packed leaves inside, first cut a short slit in the base of the cabbage, enough to get a grip on either half, and then gently pull the halves apart so the cabbage splits open

• Cut a slit through the core of each half, about 2 inches above the stem. Keep cabbage leaves loose but attached to the core.

• Wet the halves by dunking in a large basin of water.

• Sprinkle salt between each leaf. Use more salt where the leaves are thicker (portions closer to the stem)

Let cabbage rest for 6 hours turning over every 2 hours

• The cabbage should not stick out of the water when soaking.

• From time to time, ladle the salt water in the basin over cabbages

After 6 hours, wash cabbage halves about 3-4 times by running under cold water to remove excess salt and any debris

While washing, split halves into quarters along the slits you created, cut cores and give final rinse and place in strain to drain well. Repeat this process until you have divided each cabbage into quarters.

Vegetables (prepare and set aside)

• 1 kg Korean radish (chopped)

• 200 mg mustard leaves (***optional)

• 500 mg green onions (chopped)

• 1 kg Daikon Radish aka Korean Radish (cut into matchstick size)

• Carrot (cut into matchstick size)

• Green onions/scallions (chopped pinky size)

• Asian chives (chopped)

Seasoning and Spices (mix in a large bowl, set aside)

• 300 grams red pepper flakes (gochugaru)

• 100 grams ginger (minced)

• 300 grams garlic (minced)

• 200 grams fresh fermented salted shrimp (saeujeot)

• 200 grams shrimp paste

• 400 grams fish sauce

• 400 grams Korean plum extract

Porridge (base layer for the kimchi paste mixture)

• 2 cups water

• 2 tablespoons sweet rice flour (glutinous rice flour)

• Combine water and rice flour over medium heat until it bubbles (about 10 minutes). Stir using a wooden spoon.

• Remove from heat and let cool completely.

• Pour cooled porridge into a large mixing bowl. Add prepared seasoning and spices (referenced above).

• Mix well with the wooden spoon until the mixture turns into a thin paste.

• Next, add the prepared vegetable mix. (referenced above)

In a large bowl or tub, spread some kimchi paste on each cabbage leaf. When every leaf in a quarter is covered with the kimchi paste mixture, wrap the last leaf around the whole quarter of cabbage and set aside. Repeat for every ¼ of cabbage. When all cabbages are finished, place them in their respective containers.

The kimchi will start fermenting in a day or two at room temperature, depending on the temperature and humidity of your room. The warmer and more humid it is, the faster the kimchi will ferment. If you’re using a sealed jar, be sure to open it once a while and let it breathe. With a spoon, press down on the top of the kimchi to release bubbles from beneath.

Once it starts to ferment, it will smell and taste sour. Store in the refrigerator to use as needed. This slows down the fermentation process.

Simplified Overview

1. Prepare cabbage by salting (night before)

2. Cook the porridge

3. Prepare seasoning and spices mix

4. Prepare vegetables

5. Add seasoning and spices to cooled porridge

6. Place vegetables in a large tub – mix in porridge and seasoning and spices mixture

Of note: A portable plastic kids pool is a good size to use; it is a good working space and easy to clean.

7. Take a cabbage and sparsely put between each leaf as well as rub each leaf with ingredients. Repeat.

8. Set aside. Kimchi is ready to be eaten fresh or stored (in or out of the refrigerator).

Who: Paul E. Finn Memorial Post 37 South Korea

What: Memorial Day Service

When: 29 May 2023 at 0930

Where: United Nations Cemetery - Busan - South Korea

POC: post37cdr@gmail.com OR Post37ADJ@gmail.com

Evan’s Picks for Daegu

Great Places to Grab a Bite

By Evan Flores

Imoved to Daegu from Fort Huachuca in Fall of 2022, and I hit the ground running. The three restaurants in Daegu listed below are a few of the many I have come to enjoy. They are all foreigner-friendly, and the store owners are kind people who make excellent and delicious food. A little Korean goes a long way, but don’t let the language barrier stop you from trying these places and more!

Evan Flores works with the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command at Camp Henry in Daegu, South Korea. Evan has studied 한국어 for eighteen months through Talk to Me in Korean and hopes to increase his language skill exponentially during his time in ROK. He enjoys trying new food and meeting Koreans as part of his effort to become fluent in Korean. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Evan has spent time in China and other Asian countries, which motivated him to pick up Korean and move to Korea.

#2. Mr. Lamb Skewers (미스터양꼬치)

North of Camp Henry, Mr. Lamb Skewers offers a unique experience on a rarely seen dish in South Korea. Hanwoo beef may be a treat, but lamb in Daegu remains hard to come by, hence why a location such as this is hard to pass up! In addition to the cuts of lamb on skewers cooked over a charcoal fire, Mr. Lamb Skewers offers a number of tasty side dishes (반찬). Over hot coals brought to your table, you can split sets of ten skewers with friends. A favorite of locals, the ramen with bits of lamb adds great flavor to the meal.

If you’re feeling fiery after your meal, visit out front for the Dragon Punch machine challenge. Check out who has the higher score amongst your friends by giving the machine a good hit. Alternatively, if you have to work up your appetite, give the heavy bag next to it a go!

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Mr. Lamb Skewers

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#3. Bang Cheon Family Pig’s Feet (방천가족족발)

This location just north of Donseong-Ro and nested in Downtown has a great selection of pork (돼지고기) and beef (소고기) short ribs simmering in a house sauce. The serving sets (amount of meat that will be in your mixture) are based on the number of people in your group. The waiter will serve the mixture, however don’t eat it right away! The staff will cut apart the meat and take out the bones for you. Once they give you the signal, “맛있게 드

세요" (mashi-ge, duh-seh-yo), it’s time.

If you want to look like a local, once you are close to finishing the contents of your 갈비 (gal-bi), ask for the fried rice, 볶음밥 (beokk-um, bap). The staff will bring out enough for your party and will stir in a rice that soaks up the rest of the sauce and becomes its own dish. Don’t be ashamed of scraping the pan, it’s delicious!

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If you’re feeling adventurous, pig’s feet might be the dish for you. There’s not actually feet in the food; however you are eating the calf of a pig’s leg that has been cooked thoroughly, and is served as is. Sitting in the Beong Cheon Market right along Daegu’s famous Kim Gwang-Seok Mural Road, this 족발 (jok-bal) restaurant offers some of the best and most unique cuisine Daegu has to offer. It is a very tender cut of meat with the consistency of duck meat, and a delicacy. The look can be off putting at first, but the flavor and depth overcomes the appearance. Often served alongside it, 재방국수 (je-bang kook-soo), is a refreshing cold noodle dish with tons of vegetables that goes well with the hot pig’s feet. If you’re feeling adventurous, give the 불족발 a try – 불 (bool) alone means ‘fire,’ so if you can handle heat, give the spicy pig’s feet a chance. While you’re in the area, visit the Beong Cheon Market, full of vegetables and other street food you can try. The Kim Gweong-Seok Road is full of cafes and the famous Daedo Brewery added to the unique experience.

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#1. Jipsin Braised Spicy Short Ribs (집신 매운 갈비찜)

Jipsin Braised Spicy Short Ribs Dongseongno Branch

Bangcheon Gajok Pigs' Feet & Napa Wraps with Pork 대구 중구 달구벌대로 446길 11

e ROK-US Alliance—

Our Investment in Our Future

By Lieutenant General (Ret.) In-Bum Chun, Republic of Korea Army

the US military is not able to grasp. It seems to me that the US military can win a fight but has problems winning the war.

It took me about 25 years before I was genuinely comfortable working with Americans and I knew that I could trust a US soldier anytime and anywhere. Soldiers do not include politicians and glory seekers in uniform.

tendency to translate, of what little they care to see, in their own terms. Most Koreans seem to go about their business and bother not to think about what they cannot affect. Instead, they worry and leave it to someone else to solve it and concentrate on making a living. This seems true for most countries but more so for a small country caught in the middle.

Myfirst encounter with Americans was in 1982 as a Second Lieutenant. Korea was just beginning a new stage in its history with the assassination of Park Chunghee and a new military government of President Chun Doohwan. Koreans weren't starving but we were still struggling.

I met my Americans in the field. They were in tanks. The US troops were well fed and far better equipped than the Koreans. I was proud of my service but envied what most Americans took for granted, like the warm stoves they all had.

In 1986, as a senior captain, I went to Yongsan as an action officer. That's a person who has to work. My Americans were kind and decent people. They were respectful of our culture but some were critical. But even the critical ones were motivated by a frustration

Lieutenant General (Ret.) In-Bum Chun is an expert in US-Korean military relations. Here he shares his early experiences working with U.S. soldiers. He mentions the socioeconomic and cultural barriers, as well as the discrimination, that impacted his ability to deeply connect with U.S. soldiers. His message below is that we must all make it a priority to invest in enhancing connectedness and understanding each other, to build our USFK community. He also speaks to opportunities for Korea to become more involved in the global community through partnerships and alliances.

to see Koreans become better and in most cases I agreed with their views.

There were some bigots, and racism could be seen, but you could avoid them and most of my decent Americans didn't like them either. Still even the most casual comments revealed what Americans thought of Koreans. One day a US Colonel who was a really good person and excellent soldier said, "In-Bum, quit the Korean Army and join the US Army and I'll make you a captain.” I replied, "Sir, I'm already a Major in my Army. You should be offering me a promotion not a demotion.” That was 1995.

It seemed the United States could do everything by itself but it soon proved that was not the case. By 2005, America needed allies. Koreans were capable and good at Civil affairs. Something even to this day

Among all my recognitions from the United States, from the Army Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, three Legion of Merits and a US Bronze Star medal, the one I cherish the most is my US Special Operations Command Medal for being a good leader of a combined force of Koreans and US Special Operators when I commanded the Korean Special Forces because not only is it hard to get, but because it was awarded without prejudice.

The most important thing to combined operations is to understand each other. It is astonishing that the two allies put a lot of lip service to this but is an afterthought rather than a priority.

The US has a rotation system that constantly changes its people. Those who remain for extended tours are the continuity or a collection of bad habits. This is the US excuse. On the other hand, the Korean excuse is still, to this day, uncomprehendable.

That is why I stay connected to try my best to enhance understanding between Korean and US military because for me it is a priority and not an afterthought.

A Frog in a Well

In the past five years, we have seen a polarization of the world where freedom and democracy are being threatened at its roots. An increase of the possibility of nuclear war and global conflict is a reality, not to mention a nuclear weapon armed North Korea. The Peoples Republic of China is consolidating its hold on its people and during this process, a very dangerous nationalism is giving rise in China that has the potential for a forced action against Taiwan. The QUAD, AUKUS and Indo-Pacific are concepts that are an effort to preserve freedom and stability, but Korea has been reluctant because of its wish to stay in the middle ground for as long as possible.

The world is in vortex and if you were to ask a Korean what he or she thought, it would depend on which Korean you were asking. The greatest problem of the Korean people is their narrow view of the world and the

Then there are the extreme Left and Right. Both factions hold a world view that is extreme and most times irrational such as to solve the disease you should not be scared to kill the patient. To advocate neutrality and peace as well as promoting anti-Japanese sentiment is an easy message to the Korean public but without a realistic view of the circumstances it puts Koreans in a dangerous situation. For the average Korean, they are more preoccupied with important matters such as, is it

going to rain today and who won the soccer match as well as gas prices and the price of Soju.

To these people, the missile launches from North Korea is a concern that hopefully their elected political leaders can take care of, but trust in government is minimal at best and instinctively they are relieved to know that as long as American troops are on Seoul

Korean soil, that they are safe. A vast majority of the South Koreans believe that the South Korean military can deal with North Korea because we have a stronger military. This thought is projected by both the Left and Right for different reasons. The Left want to downplay the North Korean military so they can pursue detente and the Right marginalize the North Korean threat because the Right believe that the North Korean regime is brittle and needs but a little push.

The animosity coming from the US is uncomfortable because it is disrupting business. The warnings coming from a belligerent Chinese leader or the very threat that a new China is posing to the Korean way of life is not the immediate issue for most Koreans. This might be true of all societies and here is where leaders must set the course of a nation.

Moon set a course for peace, but it seemed as if he was saying it's better to be red than dead. Yoon on the other hand is setting upon a course that is opposite to the progressives. Unfortunately, he does this with a weak support base and lack of enough foreplay to establish a common understanding or support.

The reality that is upon the Korean people is a China being led by a dictatorial leader who is fostering Chinese nationalism that is endangering Korean sovereignty. The United States who is the lifeline to

Korean security is at odds with China and Chinese aspirations can collide with the United States at any moment.

Russia has started a War in Europe further polarizing the world and Iran and North Korean nuclear aspirations are continuing with new twists like the normalization of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia that was brokered by none other than China. Then there is climate change and emerging threats to human life like the Wuhan virus. All this spells one thing: rapid change.

The Koreans must understand this Tsunami and prepare and ride the waves. They must face the fact that we cannot hide from these events and although it is easy to say we need to keep an equal distance, that is not an option. But to many Koreans, staying neutral is still thought to be an option. This is propelled by politicians who advocate peace but might be leading Koreans into a vacuum where they have lost their window of opportunity to ride the waves of change like they did in the early twentieth century, where Korea became a colony of Japan.

Koreans have a window of opportunity to choose their future, but this window is closing. Koreans must not be a frog in a well who thinks the well that he dwells in is the entire world.

Basic on Etiquette in Korea

By Kristine Provins

Hereare some basic, good-to-know points related to etiquette:

1. What is the most respectful way to greet someone you just met? Simply say, An-Nyong-Ha-Se-Yo [안녕하세요] and bow slightly. (Note: As is common in most Asian cultures, direct eye contact is usually avoided unless each person is of the same social status. Westerners can simply adjust their habit by simply being conscious of this and not maintaining prolonged eye contact.)

2. When dining, it’s important to remember to serve elders first, offering them items before others.

When handing anyone anything, use two hands as a form of respect. When offering a drink, pour the drink for those older than you and ensure you use two hands. If there’s a significant age or social status difference, Koreans turn away from the

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superior to drink, especially when finishing a glass. (Note: Because rice is a staple of Korean cuisine, be aware to never leave chopsticks in rice, as this is only done during funeral rituals.)

3. A customary way to enter someone's home, is to first prepare a small gift or light dessert. Wine, liquor, or fruits are considered appropriate. Always take off your shoes when entering someone’s home; so plan ahead and anticipate this. Be aware, there are some communal areas, such as temples, community centers, and some traditional restaurants, where it is expected to remove your shoes as well.

4. If dining out, typically the person who invited the other(s) is expected to pay. With the younger generation, splitting the check is considered permissible, but is rarely done amongst those in their 30s and older.

Gwangju and Chungjang Festival of Memories

One festival you should put on your calendar for this autumn is the Chungjang Festival. Every October since 2004, Gwangju Dong-gu hosts this street festival that celebrates the playfulness and sense of liberation through deviation, and a sense of community unity. The Chungjang Festival has various programs for all generations, such as parades, streets and places of memories, and art performances. The Chungjang Parade, the biggest attraction of the festival, includes contest parades, movie concept parades, and Asian national parades. Citizens from the thirteen districts of Gwangju Dong-gu also participate, each with their own intriguing theme. The festival is a reflection of Gwangju’s role as a hub of Asian culture.

The streets and places of memories at the festival offer the opportunity for young and old to travel back to Chungjang street as it appeared in the 1970s and 2000s. Visitors are encouraged to wear blue jeans, sunglasses, or old school uniforms as they enjoy retro experiences such as drinking coffee at an old style café and taking black-and-white photos at a traditional studio.

Gwangju (광주) is one of the largest cities in Korea. Located in the southwest part of South Korea, the city is well known for the May 18, 1980 Democratic uprising, which was a mass protest against the then-military government. The city is often considered the birthplace of Korean democracy, and is recognized as a city of democracy, human rights, and peace.

The culturally rich city abounds with art in museums, exhibitions and festivals such as the Gwangju Biennale, Gwangju Design Biennale, Gwangju Kimchi Festival, Im Bangul Korean Traditional Music Festival, and Gwangju Jeong Yul-seong International Music Festival.

Whether you come for the parades, the retro vibe, the vibrant art scene, or the DJ shows and local band performances, Chungjang Festival is a special opportunity to celebrate Asian culture.

Local Band Performances

The Chungjang Street Parade

The theme places of memories

Visitors on the Geumnam-ro Street

By Kim Jeong-Chul

Introducing Military Spouse Advocacy Network’s Leadership Development Program

By Dawn Smith, Communications Coordinator, MSAN

Being stationed overseas on military orders may present many challenges, but your personal and professional development do not have to be one of them.

If the Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN) is new to you, let us introduce ourselves. MSAN’s primary mission is to create stronger military families through education, empowerment, and support, with a heavy focus on building community ties through mentorship.

In our online member-only mentorship-HUB, we encourage all of our spouses to support their families and communities by taking advantage of our free programs and educational resources. We also encourage our members to advocate for themselves by continually improving their skill sets and maximizing their talents.

One of our favorite ways to give back to MSAN members each year is to encourage them to apply to our prestigious Military Spouse Leadership Development Program. Military spouses are servant leaders at heart with a passion for giving back, and MSAN wants to give every MSLDP participant a chance to change lives and impact those around them.

If you’ve considered taking your passion to the next level and improving your leadership skills, you need to know about MSLDP. After three years of administering MSLDP, we’re in our groove and ready to mentor a new cohort in 2023.

What is the Military Spouse Leadership Development Program?

MSLDP is the chance you’ve been waiting for to directly invest in yourself so that later you can strategically invest in your chosen communities. MSLDP teaches the fundamentals of leadership, service, advocacy and mentorship.

Your educators will be top military leaders and impactful voices throughout our community and beyond. Past partners have included Psych Hub, The McChrystal Group, and the Harvard University National Preparedness Leadership Initiative. You’ll learn about topics that include:

● Meta-Leadership and Crisis Leadership

● Collaborating for Greater Impact

● Motivational Interviewing and Mental Health

● Communication

● Stakeholder Support and Engagement

Ultimately, you’ll build a network of leadership-oriented military spouses, earn certificates and micro-certifications, and gain exclusive access to supportive agencies and individuals that will train, educate and develop you as a future mentor, advocate and service leader.

Who Can Apply?

We’ve removed common barriers so you can take advantage of this world-class education. MSLDP is a completely free and entirely virtual program, open to eligible active duty spouses from any branch of our armed services, including the Reserves and Guard. We also encourage post-9/11 Gold Star Spouses, surviving Spouses, caregivers, spouses of a veteran, and retirees to apply.

Why Should You Apply to MSLDP?

MSLDP is your ticket for instant membership into a group of like-minded spouses with missions to serve their communities in new and bold ways. During the program, you’ll sit among standout spouses who, like you, want to become effective change-makers. MSAN designed MSLDP to train military spouses to become strong, knowledgeable, and confident leaders who significantly impact their chosen communities. This program will empower you and develop your leadership skills to become a trusted voice in your community. Most importantly, you will complete this learning experience feeling seen, heard, and empowered to act. Unlock your potential to become an action-oriented leader, advocate and mentor so you can make a difference where it matters.

Who Are MSLDP Graduates?

Our graduates are just like you. They’ve sacrificed a traditional lifestyle to support their service member throughout all Armed Services branches. They are mothers, fathers, students, professionals, entrepreneurs, volunteers, advocates, and caregivers. Each had the drive and desire to make a difference in the lives of underserved populations. The MSLDP helped them hone their skills and graduate with actionable plans to grow their communities.

“The decision-making and communication skills we learned have already had a huge impact on my professional and personal

life,” said Tiffany Kelley, graduate from MSLDP’s 2022 cohort. “I was elected into a leadership role during the LDP and immediately started implementing several strategies from our presenters and the material provided to us. My team is growing stronger each month and it’s been so rewarding to watch us grow together.”

“MSLDP was an incredible experience,” said 2022 graduate Sandra Miko-Hensley. “If you enjoy connecting with other military spouses, discussing military family topics, exploring professional development topics and want to grow as a leader, MSLDP is for you.”

How Can You Apply for MSLDP?

Our exclusive application process opens May 12, 2023, and the last day to submit your application is June 9, 2023.

You’ll find direct access on MSAN’s website. There’s a special page dedicated to everything you need to apply. We ask all applicants to join MSAN’s one-of-a-kind mentorship-HUB before the application deadline. You can join the HUB anytime, even if you’re not applying to MSLDP. We’d love to have you join and

see how our amazing MSAN community educates, supports, and empowers thousands of military spouses across the globe. Sometimes military spouses can get stuck in the day-to-day routines of military life that don’t always leave time for personal and professional development. If you’ve been looking for a way to improve your leadership skills and find new ways to connect with other military-connected people across the globe who want to make significant changes in our communities, then MSLDP is your chance to join the military spouse advocacy movement.

More info about the program can be found at our website: https://www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org/msldp

Dawn M. Smith has been writing about topics related to homes and moving for more than a decade. She’s planned long-distance house hunts, packed and unpacked ten homes, and fit the same furniture within many different floor plans. Thanks to mandatory military moves, she’s lived on both coasts, a few states in between, and currently calls Washington, D.C., home—for now.

Scouting in South Korea –e Adventure Awaits!

By Melissa Bell

Being a relatively new Scout mom as of two and a half years ago, the thought of finding Scouting opportunities after a PCS to a new continent seemed somewhat overwhelming. Among the millions of difficult things that you worry about with an upcoming PCS, this is one you can scratch off your list! The one good thing about moving from one military location to another is that there are usually a lot of opportunities where Scouting is concerned. The hard part is figuring out how to find the right point of contact and where to look for information.

I have found that in each location I go there are a lot of resources for that location on the Internet, Facebook, and through word of mouth. Even if I don’t personally know someone at that next location, generally one of my friends (or coworkers, or acquaintances) will know someone who is there or who has recently been stationed there. There is so much information available if you choose to look for it! I have found the best and most accurate resource for scouting is the current Scout leadership, but it can sometimes be a challenge to make this connection.

My husband joined the Boy Scouts of America when he was in middle school. My oldest son followed suit, and the same with my girl. We found it difficult getting our kids involved when they were younger just due to the nature of our schedules at that time. Whenever a family decides to get their kids, or themselves, involved in scouting is a personal preference. I have learned a lot from being a parent of a Scout that I didn’t know when my oldest son joined. I assumed my husband knew all that was needed since he did it growing up, but a lot

Scouts from Philippines and Camp Humphreys, South Korea salute their respective national flags during a morning flag ceremony.

(Photo Credit: Lawrence Gillen)

Peyton Bell, a Scout from BSA Troop 80 from Camp Humphreys, South Korea during Totin’ Chip training at the Christmas Camp 2022 which was held near Angeles City, Philippines. (Photo

Credit: Melissa Bell)

Scouts and Leaders from BSA Troops 203 and 80 from Camp Humphreys, South Korea at the Christmas Camp 2022 which was held near Angeles City, Philippines. (Photo Credit: Melissa Bell)

has changed since then. Some requirements have changed, and girls are now allowed, and welcomed, in BSA Scouting. But standards and the concept of developing our children in character, service and the pursuit of adventure has endured. I love the connections and life skills my kids have learned since joining scouts and what it means to them personally.

What is scouting? Scouting is where young people make new friends, have awesome adventures, and learn new skills, all while preparing themselves to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes. There is camping, hiking, swimming, cycling, canoeing, etc. But kids get to engage with other friends every week having fun, playing games, working as a team and taking on new and exciting challenges. Kids will learn skills they will need in school, college, jobs, etc. These are skills they will need for life. Scouting teaches youth to confront any challenge with whole hearts and clear minds – to live their lives without regret, never back down, and to do their very best. Through fun, yet challenging, physical and mental activities, Scouting encourages personal growth by teaching youth how to set goals and achieve them through determination.

Who can join? Everyone is welcome in Scouts. All genders, races, and backgrounds. Regardless of a child’s physical ability, there is an adventure waiting for them in Scouting. There is a culture of belonging where every person feels respected and valued. Families of all backgrounds are welcomed to participate and help prepare young people to serve as successful members and leaders of our nation’s diverse communities. One exception to this

is that only girls are allowed to be a member of Girl Scouts of America. Some of the great experiences my family has participated in are the camping and adventures while part of a Troop. Specifically, my kids enjoyed a five-night campout after Christmas in the Philippines! Being military kids and moving a lot of times during the summers to a new duty station, my kids have not had an opportunity, until this one, to complete a five-night campout. In order to complete the camping merit badge, a Scout must have at least one five-night campout. Being able to complete this requirement while stationed overseas and in another country we had not visited, was such an amazing opportunity. While most people would not consider winter to be an ideal time to camp in a tent, December in the

Philippines is a pristine time for a lot of outdoor fun!

Troops 203 and 80 from Camp Humphreys were invited to be a part of the Christmas Camp 2022, which also included BSA Troops from the Philippines and Okinawa, a Philippines Scout Troop, a BSA Venture Crew from the Philippines and the Francis Family. Mr. Mark Francis is the Scout Executive of the Far East Council and resides in Okinawa, Japan. He and his wife, Nettie, and their children joined in the fun to mentor and be a part of the weeklong adventure. The Far East Council supports Scouts BSA in 16 Asian countries, which includes many American military, and expatriate families.

The camp was held at the Palm Cabanas Resort in the countryside near Angeles City, Philippines. The

resort included a green space for tent camping, an Olympic-sized pool, which was perfect for the Swimming and Lifesaving Merit Badges, and open dining areas for additional classes and meals.

December in the Philippines is sunny but cooler, and not as hot and humid as the rest of the year. The sunshine and breeze made it a perfect location for a camp in the week between Christmas and New Year’s. This was the 10th year for the Christmas camp, but the first time when BSA troops from other countries and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines were invited. About 85 Scouts and Leaders attended this event.

During the week camp, and among the numerous merit badge classes, we were able to visit and learn about two historic World War II sites in the Philippines. Our

Scouts and Leaders from BSA Troops 203 and 80 from Camp Humphreys, South Korea visit the Capas National Shrine and honor the fallen American Soldiers during WWII. (Photo Credit: Lawrence Gillen)

Scouts from BSA Troops 203 and 80 from Camp Humphreys, South Korea during training of the Lifesaving Merit Badge during the Christmas Camp 2022 which was held near Angeles City, Philippines. Photo Credit: Lawrence Gillen.

Name

Pack 42K-5th GradesTuesdays 1830 Ann Field - Committee Chair humphreyspack42@gmail.com facebook.com/humphreyspack42 x

Pack 203K-5th GradesWednesdays 1730 & 1830Thomas Holmes - Cub Master humphreyspack203@gmail.com facebook.com/camphumphreyscubscouts x

Girl Scouts

HumphreysGirlScouts@usagso.org facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086914099052 x

BSA

Troop 47Boys 11-18Mondays 1830 Vince Lee - Committee Chair bsatroops159.47korea@gmail.com

Troop 88Boys 11-18Sundays 1800

Troop 203Boys 11-18Tuesdays 1830

Troop 80Girls 11-18Tuesdays 1830

Troop 159Girls 11-18Mondays 1830

group took shuttles to the Capas National Shrine and the San Fernando Train Station. In 1942, approximately 76,000 Filipino and American soldier Prisoners of War were forced to march over 80 miles in what is now known as the Bataan Death March. These prisoners walked from Marivales and Bagac in Bataan to the San Fernando Train Station in Pampanga, where they were cramped into boxcars and transported to Capas Train Station in Tarlac. From there, they walked to Camp O’Donnell, which was turned into a Concentration Camp and the final stop of the brutal march by the Imperial Japanese Army. The site where the Filipino POWs were held is now the Capas National Shrine in Tarlac. The Scouts laid a wreath to honor those Filipino and American Prisoners of War at the Capas National Shrine. This was such an impactful and important trip for the Scouts and leaders to learn about and remember the sacrifices of our

facebook.com/Scout-Troop-159-and-47-CampHumphreys-110498001145690

Robyn Connell Committee Chair troop88humphreys@gmail.com

facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076050487954

Amanda Nguyen Member Chair arnguyen@gmail.com x

Amanda Nguyen Scout Master arnguyen@gmail.com x

So Cheung Lee Scout Master bsatroops159.47korea@gmail.com

country’s heroes.

I am extremely grateful for the experiences and lessons my children are learning by being a member of a Scout Troop. There is no doubt these life lessons will help them be better adults and leaders in their schools and communities. They are learning self-confidence, life-lasting skills, citizenship, passions for different activities, a love of the outdoors, but also gaining life-long deep friendships they will cherish and remember forever. If you or your kids are on the fence about joining a troop, whether it’s Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, or Boy Scouts while here in Korea, I hope you will seek out a Point of Contact and give it a try. I think you will be extremely happy with your adventure!

facebook.com/Scout-Troop-159-and-47-CampHumphreys-110498001145690

Scouting at Camp Humphreys, South Korea Cub Scouts Family Packs

Scouts visited the San Fernando Train Station in Pampanga, Philippines. This site was the ending point of the 102 km (63 mile) Death March from Bataan for almost 76,000 Soldiers of the Philippines and USA during WWII.

(Photo Credit: Melissa Bell)

We Always Needed Water But Today, Water Needs Us!

Story and Photos by Maritzalyn Mercado-Santiago

Asthe interconnected threats of plastic pollution and climate change continue to grow, those who rely on the water for their livelihood are finding it increasingly difficult to continue to earn a living. Water pollution also affects our health as many around the world are without access to clean water and polluted water can lead to sickness. What can we do? How can we solve the water problem?

Water Management: From Goals to Action

South Korea faces a number of threats to water security, now and in the future. We see development and water management occurring so you’re probably thinking, “What? No way!” However, Korea’s population density and water scarcity are among the highest among developed countries. The high-rate vulnerability to flooding combined with the diffuse pollution (mainly from livestock and urban storm water run-off) contaminates an already scarce water supply. The water in river basins is fully, or close to fully, allocated and with the rise of population and contamination there is a real threat to the future availability of clean water. What can be done? The Korean government has been focusing on: water regulation and greater enforcement of environmental compliance, reforms of the governance on water issues, incentives to promote water use efficiency and the reduction of pollution, and long term planning against future water-related risks.

Have you noticed the trash bags that are used off base? In Korea, you must separate your recyclables and purchase the different bags for food waste and trash. As individuals, having increased awareness of the water concerns, not only here but throughout the world, can guide us to make better choices regarding our water usage. We can do our part to maintain clean water!

Invest in Our Planet, Invest in the Future!

Our oceans and waters may be threatened by rising temperatures and human activity, but thankfully, there are tons of incredible people working hard to protect them and the amazing marine life. As an individual there are ways for you to do your part as well! Make sure to clean up pet waste because your pet waste contains e. Coli bacteria! Never place expired pharmaceuticals down a toilet or a sink where they enter our drinking water supply. Let’s do our part to keep our streams, drains, and environment free from our trash and participate in clean up activities!

Remember, water is precious. Without it, not a single living thing could survive. No plants would grow, no animals would roam the earth, but somewhere in our world right now, snow falls on a mountain top and rain falls in a valley. All around us, we are reminded of the never-ending journey of our water. Do you feel inspired to help protect the waters? There are many ways you can make a difference without leaving your home community.

Recycle, Reduce & Reuse

Sadly, plastic pollution affects our rivers and waterways, and the animals that live in and around them can get tangled up in and accidentally eat it! Did you know there are large masses of trash floating in the ocean from all the pollution? Could you image sailors or marine animals mistaking trash for land? Recycle whenever you can to make sure any of the plastic you use is disposed of properly. People throw away millions of plastic things everyday and plastic requires more time to breakdown, unlike paper or wood. We can also pledge to reduce our litter because even the smallest candy wrapper carelessly tossed on the ground can enter the water ways from water runoff. Consider re-

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful individuals can change the world.”

— Margaret Mead

Did you know?

An estimated 8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans every year! The majority of this waste enters the water from land, and the ocean is the endpoint for thousands of rivers, which carry tons of loose litter. Over 100 million marine animals die every year from plastic waste.

usable or sustainable options in your everyday life, such as, reusable bags, straws, utensils, walking/riding bikes, and shopping locally are just a few ways we can all help. It is imperative we keep a conscious mindset to reduce our carbon footprint. Remember, if we all work together, these amazing habitats and the wildlife that lives within them can receive the protection they need! Did you enjoy learning about the importance of water and how it affects our oceans? What changes will you make to help protect our Earth?

Places to Visit!

Sokcho Bathing Resort

강원도 속초시 조양동 속초해수욕장

https://naver.me/xi5g7tWx

SEALIFE Busan Aquarium Wild Animal Rescue Center

부산 해운대구 해운대해변로 266

https://naver.me/FBDHEwiv

National Science Museum

대전 유성구 대덕대로 481 국립중앙과학관

https://naver.me/GXRwFtc1

Tropical reef aquarium webcam Sharks in the Atlantic Ocean https://explore.org/livecams/sharks/shark-cam

ACTIVITY: Making Paper

Since plastic is man-made in the first place, this month, we will focus on “remaking” – we call it recycling. What are some of the things we can recycle? Can we recycle used paper?

Materials

• Colored paper

• Mesh screen (can be found in home section of Daiso or PandaMart)

• Rubber band

• Pieces of used paper

• Bowl

• 2 cups warm water

• Blender (or a spoon)

• Mug

• Towel

• Rolling pin (water bottle/glass cup)

Instructions

1. Tear the colored paper (for extra fiber material) and used paper into small pieces. Make sure you have enough paper to fill ½ cup.

2. Place the paper in a bowl and cover with two cups of warm water for 5 minutes.

3. Pour the paper and water into a blender, blend well for 20 seconds. (Stir with a spoon if you do not have a blender).

4. Place the mesh screen over a mug, use the rubber band to secure it.

5. Pour a small amount of paper pulp from the blender onto the screen and let the water drain into the mug.

6. Remove the screen with the paper pulp from the mug. Hold over your kitchen sink or a bowl and use your hands to press as much water as you can from the paper pulp.

7. Place the screen on a towel then use a rolling pin to roll the paper as then as you’d like.

8. Repeat steps 5-7 with the rest of the paper pulp.

9. Leave your paper to dry overnight.

What We Learned

When you recycle paper, new paper can be made! You might see recycled paper being used for things like notebook paper, cardboard boxes, grocery bags, newspapers and much more. This means we can make the most of our natural resources, such as trees.

Share your discoveries with us on social with #UnitedontheROK or @UnitedontheRok

About the Writer

● Social Media: Instagram @i_only_ date_superheroes

● Background: Ms. Mercado-Santiago served 8+ years in the Army, obtained her Master of Environmental Science, and is currently in her 3rd year as BSA NOVA STEM Counselor & Supernova Mentor. Ms. Mercado-Santiago has also spent 5+ years as a Homeschool Parent/Educator. Conservation is her passion.

MAY Homeschool Holidays

5th

National Teacher Appreciation Day. Have your kids write thank you notes to their favorite teacher (YOU!). If they participate in a co-op, you can also have them give a thank you card to their teachers there.

14th 20th World Bee Day.

National Dance Like a Chicken Day. Do your kids know the chicken dance? If not, now is the time to teach them. Quack. Quack. Quack.

Reference:

OCED. (2018) Water Management in Korea: from goals to action. Published by © Organisation for EconomicCo-operation and Development. Electronic version available at: https://www.oecd.org/about/ impact/water-management-in-korea.htm

27th

To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day! The goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators, which would significantly contribute to solving problems related to the global food supply and eliminate hunger in developing countries. We all depend on pollinators, and it is, therefore, crucial to monitor their decline and halt the loss of biodiversity.

National Grape Popsicle Day.

If there is anything that can transport you immediately back to your childhood, it is a grape popsicle. Grab some at your local grocery store and enjoy the memories.

NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK 2023

By Carolyn Pickering

Did you know that school age children spend just under 50% of their OCONUS experience in school? Fortunately for us our schools are full of talented teachers and staff. During National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 7th-13th) our communities across the peninsula have an opportunity to honor and celebrate our teachers and staff who strive for excellence as they teach, shape, and inspire our children.

How did National Teacher Appreciation Week come about?

It is documented that in 1953 former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt advocated to Congress for a day when teachers could be recognized. However, it wasn’t until 1980 that Congress declared March 7, 1980 as National Teacher Day. The National Education Association (NEA) continued to observe Teacher Day on the first Tuesday in March until 1985 when

the National PTA established Teacher Appreciation Week as the first full week of May. The NEA describes this as “a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives.”

Appreciation and recognition for those who shape our nation’s future continues to be so important that last year, in Proclamation 10385, President Biden stated, “I call upon all Americans to recognize the hard work and dedication of our nation’s teachers and to observe this day and this week by supporting teachers through appropriate activities, events, and programs.”

What types of activities, events and programs are taking place in DoDEA schools across the peninsula?

Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) at each school: This is a great time to plug into your respective school’s Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) to see

what is taking place and learn how you can support their efforts to celebrate the school’s teachers and staff throughout the week. Among other things, the PTSOs typically plan a breakfast or luncheon to honor teachers. Be on the lookout for Sign Up Genius links and volunteer opportunities. The saying, “Many hands make light work,” couldn’t be more true when it comes to pitching in with the PTSO events!

What types of activities, events and programs are taking place throughout the USAG Humphreys Community?

DoDEA Pacific West District Humphreys

Chalk the Walk: Sunday, May 7th between 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, ALL families are invited to stop by their school entrance to Chalk the Walk. Take a few minutes from the day to leave an inspiring message or drawing for teachers and staff! There is no limit on creativity as chalk has been provided by the Humphreys United Club. If you have children in more than one school, be sure to stop by and chalk all of them. Teachers will be delighted to see our community’s beautiful heartfelt tribute. Let’s make it memorable!

Community Clap In for Teachers and Staff: Monday, May 8th all families are invited to arrive at school just before the teachers and staff to kick off the week with a school community clap in. If your schedule permits, plan on bringing your child(ren) and your spirit to school. Come to the school entrance as we cheer for and celebrate our educators! Feel free to make signs and bring your uplifting appreciation! For Central and West Elementary Schools, cheer starts at approximately 6:50 am - 7:20 am. For the Middle and High Schools, cheer starts at approximately 7:50 am - 8:20 am. Hope to see everyone show up the way teachers show up for our children!

Community Partners putting the UNITY in COMMUNITY

Commissary Coloring Contest: DeCA, along with their vendor partner, will be sponsoring a Coloring Contest for all school age kids to start on Sunday, April 30th. Coloring sheets can be picked up at the Commissary and turned back in there as well. Prizes will be announced on Friday, May 12th and presented on Saturday, May 13th at 10:00 AM.

USO: The Humphreys USO is recognizing teachers by hosting DIY Thank You cards making events where our children can create their own Thank You cards to express

their gratitude. These events will be held after children are released from school. Be on the lookout for these events between May 2-5 from 1500-1600 at the Sentry USO.

AFN Messages of Appreciation: AFN has partnered with our school community to play recorded messages to teachers throughout National Teacher Appreciation Week. It is also highly likely you will hear the DJs talking about teachers throughout the week. Be sure to have an ear out!

AAFES: Be on the lookout for National Teachers Appreciation Week posters in the Main Exchange and the Food Court. AAFES is also an ideal place to shop if you have something in mind for a teacher.

Humphreys United Club: Through a generous grant the United Club has provided the chalk for the Chalk the Walk Event on Sunday, May 7th. In addition, the United Club and the Garrison, along with DPW support, have teamed up to provide banners for each school to elevate the significance of National Teacher Appreciation Week throughout our Humphreys community. This is something to look forward to!

Just as our teachers are around our children much of the day, the goal for National Teacher Appreciation Week is for teachers to feel appreciation, support, and recognition around their community throughout this celebratory week. There are many ways to support the activities, events and programs, planned by our PTSOs and Community Partners, in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week. Don’t miss the opportunity to join in on this awesome week!

About the Author

Carolyn Pickering has been in Korea since 2014. Having left the world of Corporate Training & Development to live abroad, she has always been drawn to volunteering with DoDEA schools and taking an active role on many School Advisory Committees (SAC). She has a deep respect for the schools where her two sons spend so much time learning and a strong admiration for the teaching profession. She firmly believes that education is a partnership between families and schools. Her one wish would be for everyone with school-age children to get involved! Carolyn also serves as a Facebook Administrator for the “Humphreys Diverse Abilities Support Group” and the “Parents of Teens on Humphreys” group.

“Teacher appreciation makes the world of education go around.”

– Helen Peters

Meet Your Next Favorite Book!

Wondering what to read next?

Check out these books about Korean history, society, and culture!

HUMAN ACTS, Han Kang

A fictionalized account of the democratic uprising and a brutal government-ordered massacre that occurred in gwangju in may 1980.

SOUTH KOREA: THE ENIGMATIC PENINSULA, Mark Dake Mark Dake and his friend

Heju set out on a four-month, ten-thousand-kilometer road trip across South Korea.

PLEASE LOOK AFTER MOM, Kyung-Sook Shin

A moving story of a family’s search for their mother who goes missing one afternoon amid the crowds of the Seoul Station subway. Each section of the book is narrated by a different character - the daughter, son, husband and mother.

RISE OF KOREAN MISO,

Yang Joung

A book for anyone interested in learning how to make Korean dishes, including homemade Korean Miso, as well as insight on the good, bad, and the best in Korean food.

WHEN SPRING COMES TO THE DMZ, Uk-Bae

This picture book reveals for young readers the natural beauty of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), where salmon, spotted seals, and mountain goats live in the two-and-a-halfmile-wide, 150-mile-long corridor where no human may tread.

IF YOU WERE ME AND LIVED IN... SOUTH KOREA:

A CHILD'S INTRODUCTION TO CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD

,

Carole P. Roman

This book takes children to South Korea, with introductions to food, famous landmarks, and more with the message that it's easy to find something in common with people in different countries.

Lee

" ank-you, Madam Toastmaster"

By Lucy Davis

All eyes are on me.

With my nervous system screaming, I open my mouth to speak without a plan and without much faith. Somehow, words fall out. Theoretically, they are easy words as I have been asked simply to introduce myself. There is no requirement to scour my brain for ill-remembered facts, complex concepts, or wry witticism.

"Good Morning, my name is Lucy. I work for USFK, and this is the second Toastmasters meeting I have attended.” My empty chair beckons me as I rush towards it, relief flooding my body. With the pressure off, the terrifying faceless eyes looking at me a moment ago morph back into perfectly ordinary, pleasant people. People who are here with a shared aim and are willing me to succeed.

This is the Pacific Sunrise Toastmasters Club.

Once introductions are complete, our ‘Toastmaster for the Day’ stands to explain:

"Toastmasters is an international non-profit organization. It exists to help people become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.”

"Bingo!" I think. Bring me the confidence! I imagine it being served with a ladle from a large wooden bowl. Like warm honey.

He continues: "Today we will have two prepared speeches. Our first will be on 'Overcoming Adversity' and I would like to invite our first speaker to step forward.”

Assuredly, she does. She tells a wrenching tale of cruelty met and mastered by an indomitable spirit and some practical tactics, which I later jot into the front cover of a notepad.

Next up is an 'Icebreaker Speech.’ This is the first full speech someone gives to become a fully-fledged member of the organization and be the recipient of the prefix 'Toastmaster' before their name.

I feel nerves rush through me. I am not alone in my anxious anticipation. We all know the social pain of watching someone 'on the spot' and there is a positive longing in the room. A hopeful optimism emanates from every seat, willing success on the brave lady step-

ping forward in front of us.

Perhaps this is where the confidence comes from. It is not served as a sweet treat but projected invisibly into you by the hope and belief of the members. It is transmitted through every encouraging nod, every appreciative smile, every round of applause as a speech crescendos.

My fears evaporate as we are swept along on her words. It is another excellent speech. Exactly the type of speech I have heard after countless formal dinners, galas, and fundraisers from the great and the good, invited to inspire us with their words. Indeed, this was the very genesis of the club in 1905 when a group first formed to practice public speaking so they could give better toasts at banquets.

Next up are reports on the speeches. While I had been lost in the speakers’ eloquence, appointed 'evaluators' were looking for improvements. Advising on the marginal gains that could be made to progress from delivering good Toastmaster speeches to renowned, potentially international, speaking acclaim.

Both ladies know they have spoken well. If they are relieved it is over, it does not show. They nod intelligently at remarks, gracefully accept praise and confidently, oh so confidently, move on with their day.

"Thank you, Madam Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters, and honoured guests” says our Toastmaster for the Day as he wraps up the meeting. We have had introductions, speeches, evaluations, a quick fire 'tabletop round' where everyone speaks for one to two minutes, announcements, and now a farewell. All in an ordinary Wednesday lunch hour. Frankly, I am inspired.

At the back of my mind, a tiny thought shyly emerges: "I wonder what your Icebreaker speech will be?"

Emergency Numbers

that require an ambulance

Disease Control (foreigner helpline that provides information about first aid and diseases in English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Mongolian)

immigration-related questions)

Commission of Korea (for questions related to human rights law and social justice in Korea)

National Suicide Prevention Crisis Line

Commercial: 1-800-273-8255 / 080-855-5118

DSN: (315)263-8255/118

Chat: www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat

Holidays - 4 Month Outlook

Korean Holidays

5 May – Children’s Day (어린이날 or Eorininal)

27 May* – Buddha’s Birthday (부처님 오신 날 or Bucheonnim Osinnal)

6 June – Memorial Day

15 August – Liberation Day

* The celebration takes place on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month. Date is adjusted every year according to the lunar calendar.

US Holidays

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

12 May – Military Spouse Appreciation Day

14 May – Mother’s Day

20 May – Armed Forces Day

29 May – Memorial Day

15 June – Flag Day & US Army Birthday

18 June – Father’s Day

19 June – Juneteenth

4 July – Independence Day

Main Airports

Incheon International Airport is the main airport on the RoK, located on the coast west of Seoul. It is one of the busiest airports in the world and is full of entertainment for travelers with time before, between, or after flights including a spa, a golf course, a casino, an ice-skating rink, and much more.

Other airports include:

This Month’s Cultural Spotlight

Buddha’s birthday, which falls on the eighth day of the fourth month according to the lunar calendar, is recognized as a public holiday in Korea. In the weeks leading up to Buddha’s birthday, paper lotus lanterns will start appearing across the country, especially at temples. The main event is the lotus lantern festival called Yeon Deung Hoe (연등회) in Seoul. This is a great time to visit a temple such as Jogyesa Temple, where you may enjoy a free meal and tea, traditional games, mask dances and other celebrations of Korean culture.

Welcome to the Republic of Korea! Here is some basic information to help you get around in the Land of the Morning Calm.

“A Blossom in the Park” Raylee Valovich

(Photo by Devany Valovich, Devany V Photography)