From My Service in Korea, I learned…
John Loghry
As a young kid, this was the very first time I had ever been out of the US. It was a big shock to me, but also very enlightening. I learned a lot about Korea and the Korean people. The more I learned about them, the more I realized how similar we are.
The scariest thing that happened while I was there was the “Paul Bunyon campaign.” My barracks were right next to the helipad at 2nd S&T Battalion Camp Casey, Korea. I heard the helicopters and other commotion all night for a few days. We all thought for sure we were going to war, especially after we went to DEFCON3. That eventually calmed down but was always in the back of my mind.
I was fortunate enough to get overnight passes pretty often and stayed off-post with my Korean girlfriend. One of the best things she ever did for me was to teach me some of the old Korean songs/ballads. One of the famous ones I remembered was something like shang hi co hecta la. Trust me when I say, I can still sing that song through its entirety. Another song was very popular when I was there in 1976. It was a love song titled “Sarang Hae”. I still love that song. And yes, I still can sing every word to that song too. I and another GI from 2nd S&T would rent bicycles from the local pawnshop and ride down through the village of Tongducheon / TDC singing these 2 songs. The Koreans would freak out, especially the older ones. I remember it all, just as if it were yesterday, but it’s been 47 years for me.
What did you learn from serving in Korea? Let us know –
Sharing your experiences from serving in Korea can be a powerful way to connect with others who have had similar experiences. By sharing your story, you may be able to help others who are currently serving in Korea or who are preparing to do so. You can share insights about the culture, the people, and the challenges you faced while serving. Your story can also help to shed light on the sacrifices that service members and their families make in order to protect our freedoms. So, if you have a story to share, we encourage you to take the time to put it down in writing and send it to KDVA.MyServiceInKorea@gmail.com along with any photos that help to tell your story.
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