Download English Version: KDVA Newsletter Issue 20-5 August 2020
A Daughter’s Tribute – Ms. Namhi Park’s tribute to General Paik Sun-yup
A Daughter’s Tribute
Ms. Namhi Park, daughter of General Paik Sun-yup shares her heartfelt tribute of her father with the Korea Defense Veterans Association in this short video.
Video – https://youtu.be/5lUJTdwc_VE
Recording Now Available – United Nations Command Webinar
KDVA Webinar: United Nations Command
On July 27, 2020 KDVA hosted an United Nations Command webinar. Former Commanders of the United Nations Command, Gen. (Ret.) Curtis Scaparrotti and Gen. (Ret.) Vincent Brooks and Commander of the 196th Infantry Brigade, COL Shawn Creamer discussed the significant role of the United Nations Command in maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Announcing KDVA Webinar: United Nations Command
Please join KDVA for our webinar on the significant role of the United Nations Command in maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Monday, July 27, 2020
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (U.S. EDT)
9:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (KST)
Livestream via Zoom
Feel free to join 15 minutes prior to each webinars’ start time to chat with other KDVA members and attendees via Zoom messenger chat.
The webinar is free, but you must register in advance.
REGISTER
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_WMM2xfPVRtyTtgg8GCQeng
Webinar Recording Now Available! 70th Commemoration of the Korean War Webinar Series – Part 2: Fulfilling Our Veterans’ Legacy
70th Commemoration of the Korean War Webinar Series –
Webinar Part 2: Fulfilling Our Veterans’ Legacy: Enduring Nature of “Alliance for the Ages”
Friday, June 26, 2020
Discussion and Q&A with prominent Korea experts and senior military leaders of KDVA.
Speakers:
Topics:
- Korean War’s place in shaping ROK-U.S. relations
- The need for a strong Alliance — what we are doing to ensure Korean War veterans’ service and sacrifice live on today and into the future
- Highlight the “Wall of Remembrance” as an enduring example of the “Alliance for the Ages”
Recording:
Webinar Recording Now Available! 70th Commemoration of the Korean War Webinar Series – Part 1: Honoring Those Who Served
70th Commemoration of the Korean War Webinar Series –
Webinar Part 1: Honoring Those Who Served: 70 Years of the Irreplaceable ROK-U.S. Alliance
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Interview and Q&A with Korean War Veterans and their family members.
Speakers:
Topics:
- Look back on those who served and sacrificed during the war; include the perspective of families through the decades
- Discuss why they think their service was worth fighting the war
- Look now at recognizing and honoring service members and their families
Recording:
The Sharp Family Story
By Ms. Nicole Ruiz, KDVA Research Intern
Photo Caption: Gen. (Ret.) Walter Sharp is holding a picture of his father, then-Lieutenant Earl “Bill” Sharp (who is on the right), with the 40th Infantry Division during the Korean War in 1952 to 1953. Bill Sharp ended his 28-year military career, retiring as a Cavalry Colonel and inspiring his son to follow in his footsteps. General Sharp started his Army career at West Point and ended in 2011 as the 4-star commander of United Nations Command (UNC), Combined Forces Command (CFC), and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).
General (Retired) Walter “Skip” Sharp
President and Chairman, Korea Defense Veterans Association
Former Commander United Nations Command / Combined Forces Command / U.S. Forces Korea
Son of Korean War Veteran, Colonel (Retired) Earl “Bill” Sharp
Shortly after graduating from the University of West Virginia and receiving his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, Earl “Bill” Sharp joined the 40th Infantry Division during the Korean War in 1952. In 1953, Lieutenant Sharp returned home to his wife and his new son, Walter “Skip” Sharp, who had been born while he was fighting in Korea. Then-Lieutenant Sharp would pursue a 28-year military career, retiring as a Cavalry Colonel and inspiring his son to follow in his footsteps. Skip Sharp entered West Point and graduated in 1974, launching what would become a 37-year military career and ultimately retiring as a 4-star General in 2011. When General Sharp was set to deploy for Operation Desert Storm in the early 1990s, his father emphasized the importance of taking care of his troops thru tough realistic training and trusting his subordinates. Still, his father did not fully breach the topic of his wartime experiences.
General Sharp was first stationed in Korea between 1996 and 1998. General Sharp received his promotion from Colonel to Brigadier General and his parents, who had attended every promotion since West Point, joined him for a short visit in Korea. The trip held special meaning for his father because it was the first time he set foot on Korean soil since the Korean War. General Sharp reflected, “He really was amazed and pleased to see how much Korea has progressed and said several times ‘The sacrifices of the Korean War were worth it’.” Unfortunately, Colonel Sharp passed away in 2006 before he could see his son earn his fourth star and return to Korea for his dream final job in the Army as the commander of United Nations Command (UNC), Combined Forces Command (CFC), and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) from 2008 until his retirement in 2011.
This tour as the 4-star commander in Korea gave General Sharp the opportunity to visit the location where his father fought, an experience he wishes he could have shared with him. His Deputy CFC Commander, General Jung, Seong Jo, mobilized Korean historians to help identify the locations where his father served in the Heartbreak Ridge-to-Punchbowl area in late 1952 and early 1953. General Jung also arranged for General Sharp and his wife to visit the battlefield as well as receive a briefing from the unit stationed in that area. Even though his father could not join him to revisit the battlefield, being able to do so was still a special moment for General Sharp, especially because his father never talked about his experiences in any detail. General Sharp remembered, “There were times when he would talk about how cold it was, the coldest he was ever in his life.” Besides these little snippets of information, much of Co lonel Sharp’s service was shrouded in mystery.
It wasn’t until several years after his father passed away that General Sharp would learn more about his father’s experiences in Korea and Vietnam. When the family stumbled across a cedar chest containing photos and military records, General Sharp described finding such a chest as “pretty emotional.” Like many veterans from the Korean War, his father closely guarded his experiences and never really divulged any details. General Sharp reflected, “I wish I had a better understanding on how things went and how he was able to prepare, lead, and fight in a war at such a young age.” He went on to say, “When I retired, I vowed that I was going to continue to do everything I could … to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance and honor those who had served in Korea.”
True to his word, General Sharp honored the legacy of his father and other Korean War veterans after his retirement by speaking on their behalf. He also played a crucial role in forming the Korean Defense Veterans Association (KDVA), becoming the first chairman and president of the organization. These organizations are important because they provide a platform for the importance of the ROK-U.S. Alliance and for veterans to share their experiences and others to learn from them
.
Photo Caption: This bayonet was presented to General Sharp by the 3rd ROK Corps during his visit to where his father fought in the Korean War.
Photo Caption: Pictures of General Sharp’s father, then-Lieutenant Earl “Bill” Sharp, with the 40th Infantry Division during the Korean War in 1952 to 1953.
You’re invited! KDVA’s 2-Part Webinar Series, “70th Commemoration of the Korean War”
The Korea Defense Veterans Association invites you to attend our 2-Part Webinar Series,
“70th Commemoration of the Korean War“
Livestream via Zoom
Feel free to join 15 minutes prior to each webinars’ start time to chat with other KDVA members and attendees via Zoom messenger chat.
The webinars are free, but you must register in-advance.
Webinar Part 1: Honoring Those Who Served:
70 Years of the Irreplaceable ROK-U.S. Alliance
Thursday, June 25, 2020
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (U.S. EDT)
9:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (KST)
Interview and Q&A with Korean War Veterans and their family members.
Speakers:
Will be announced soon.
Topics:
Look back on those who served and sacrificed during the war; include perspective of families through the decades
Discuss why they think their service was worth fighting the war
Look now at recognizing and honoring service members and their families
REGISTER
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_eVDAazjuTGaev515xhpCvA
Webinar Part 2: Fulfilling Our Veterans’ Legacy:
Enduring Nature of “Alliance for the Ages”
Friday, June 26, 2020
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (U.S. EDT)
9:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (KST)
Discussion and Q&A with prominent Korea experts and senior military leaders of KDVA.
Speakers:
Will be announced soon.
Topics:
Korean War’s place in shaping ROK-U.S. relations
The need for a strong Alliance — what we are doing to ensure Korean War veterans’ service and sacrifice live on today and into the future
Highlight the “Wall of Remembrance” as an enduring example of the “Alliance for the Ages”
REGISTER
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BJk2KiFLTj2cUrZLyog6mw
KDVA’s ROK Memorial Day Message
On this 6th day of June, the people of the Republic of Korea remember their Service Members who died during the Korean War and other conflicts. KDVA would like to ask you to join the Korean people in reflecting on and remembering all that they did for this important and great country.
KDVA honors their brave and heroic sacrifices by supporting the ROK-U.S. Alliance and the people who built the Alliance and continue to serve it. They include the 28,500 U.S. Service Members serving in South Korea today and the millions of Korean and American troops who have served together in “The Land of the Morning Calm” since the start of the Korean War on June 25, 1950 and around the world in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
KDVA truly believes in working “Together for the ROK-U.S. Alliance.”
Sincerely,
General (Ret.) Walter Sharp
President and Chairman, KDVA
Webinar Recording Now Available! CFC Leadership During Crisis
ROK-U.S. Leadership During Crisis Webinar Series, “CFC Leadership During Crisis”
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Korea Defense Veterans Association’s first webinar on “ROK-U.S. Leadership During Crisis”
This webinar is a series and for the first session, the topic is “Combined Forces Command Leadership During Crisis” with the former Commander of CFC, General Walter Sharp, and former Deputy Commander, General Jung, Seung Jo.
Our intent is to discuss their shared experiences with combined ROK and U.S. military leadership during crisis. Their thoughts should provide foundational insight that can be useful for other topics like: instability in North Korea, exchange of fires along the DMZ, and North Korean strategic provocations to include nuclear tests and missile launches.
This webinar does not intend to get into the decision-making space of the current leaders of CFC … we only want to help people better understand how CFC works during crisis.
