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It was 66 years ago today that the Korean War started - around 35,000 Americans died in that conflict - I wonder how many South Koreans even remember the sacrifices that were made to keep them free - was it worth it?
If we had listened to the General we would not be in the mess that we are in with North Korea and China -
Living under a constant condition of a mere "cease fire" with a few hundred thousand troops poised on the northern border awaiting a "go order" is certainly reminder enough that there could still,very easily,be a SHTF condition at any time should someone make an extreme overt,belligerent action for any reason by either side. I doubt anyone is under any delusion,whatsoever,knowing the south could be easily overrun within hours.
They remember as do many Canadian families who lost loved ones.
"The Canadian Forces were involved in the 1950–1953 Korean War conflict and its aftermath. Canada participated on the side of the United Nations in the Korean War, with 26,000 Canadians participating in the Korean War, and Canada sending eight destroyers. Canadian aircraft provided transport, supply and logistics. 516 Canadians died in the conflict, 312 of the deaths were from combat.
After the war, Canadian troops remained for three years as military observers." quote
There's still quite a few Korean Veterans around. My Father served aboard HMCS Haida and HMCS Bonaventure,both of which were sent to Korea just before the cease fire was signed. When those old buggers get together,it's party time.
Sharon X 2
My father served in WW2 and the Korean .
Real treasures Woodsman.
JoePa, why don't you go visit and ask the people there, if it was worth it? Ask the families of the dead South Korean soldiers and citizens if it was worth it? I believe the Korean people suffered over a million casualties? Go ask the survivors of that conflict instead of crying about how great thou art that the U.S. had a few thousand casualties?Quote:
Originally Posted by JoePa
His original post was only wondering if they remember, or a better phrase would be " I wonder if they 'really understand' what happened".Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushmoose
There was no bragging about America's part in the war, or crying about American losses.
In fact people today seem to have even shorter memories then in past generations. I met some drivers in their late twenties that said that Bush invaded Iraq because the price of oil was too low, so he attacked Iraq and blow up all the oil wells to raise the price. They would have been only 4 or 5 at the time of the first Gulf War, so how or who told them that? Turns out that is what the History teacher told them. My parents would have been the same age as these drivers during the Second World War, but they sure remember the facts, I was born during the Vietnam war but I remember the facts..70 years and the facts 50 years and the facts......26 years and they don't even know the facts.
Bush' - I'm a Korean combat vet - enough said -Quote:
Originally Posted by Bushmoose
You missed the point but that seems to be the norm.Quote:
Originally Posted by JoePa
You fought in the Korean Conflict and that is commendable but you turn around and say they should be thanking you and thanking the US for what you have done and Bushmoose is simply wanting you to consider the families that were split by the fighting and the deaths on the other sides, including other allies that fought along with the UN in this conflict. I understand that the US is the center of the Universe but there are many different parts to the Korean Conflict that are not part of the US.
And a lot of suffering that wasn't US centralized. Alleging the only suffering was purely by US by mentioning only US causalities diminishes what really happened in the Korean War. This isn't the first time JoePa has done this.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fox
He has 3 posts outside of the Off Topic in the month, it might be a record.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dythbringer
I know it is wikipedia but there are some numbers here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_War
1/3 of the soldiers are listed as American with 326K in total. The total civilian casualties are estimated at 2.5 Million. There looks to be about 200K UN deaths in total and anywhere from 360K to 750K Communist deaths.
So I mention US causalities - why do you make it sound like I don't realize there were other countries fighting in that war and incurring causalities - what was I supposed to do - name every country and their causalities to satisfy you - and as far as the Koreans thanking us fighting for their freedom - I never said that - I was wondering if they even remember - as the years go by people have a tendency to forget and the younger ones don't even know what happened - whenever I say something about the US there are some guys just looking for a reason to down play the US achievement - must be something in the water that they drinking - all I can say is - lend me your hat
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoePa
Kudo's to you. I had an uncle that served with the "vandoo's" over in Korea. Ever hear of them? Several other members of my family also served in various Canadian regiments during WWII. Never once heard any of them looking for recognition from the citizens of war torn country's that were liberated during that conflict? Funny that eh?
As a modern day vet of a couple of different places, I think I get where you are coming from Joe PA. It is a really normal reaction to wonder whether or not it was worth it, especially at a personal level. Heck, I think all soldiers think about that post conflict whether it was last year or a long time ago.
God and the Soldier we alike adore
In times of danger and not before.
The danger past and all conflict righted
God is forgotten, the Soldier slighted.
Cheers to all the warriors old and young.
Don't expect any praise cause there won't be any and they don't owe it, nor would I want it if not freely given.
While there have been occasions in the past, that had to set the record straight with respect to WWWII and the US's short memory that there were many others involved, that they didn't save the world, and really just joined the party late. It wasn't their Generals or unbeatable troops or great equipment as the US histories and a certain city lead them to believe ( really not much more to it than Factories pumping out a ton of hardware cheaply made (almost like China today) and not getting bombed back to the stone ages))....and when you grow up getting spoon fed such stuff.....
Didn't take the original post as "US chest thumping". Took it more as "How quickly the world forgets the sacrifices" and if in fact, those around today still hold the same kind of gratitude. Whether it was posted by a US citizen/vet, Cdn or other.
No argument, the US and a good chunk of their citizens have a distorted and inflated sense of importance. The victors write the history books and no one, has had a larger impact in NA than Hollywood and their shall we revisions and glory....
If only us Canucks had a little more pride and glory in Canada. Where the US is known to be "boorish" and full of themselves, lets not forget we are painted as the nice apologist...aw gee shucks Gomer Pyles with inferiority complexes.
That's pretty close to right on the money,too,JBen. I believe this sentiment is gradually changing in Canada,though......hopefully.Quote:
Originally Posted by JBen
I don't know. I think we do have pride in our country and I think we just show it in the Canadian way--quietly, respectfully and feeling that flag waving fanfare isn't necessary.
I think that too, Sawbill. I think whenever there's anything that seems like chest-pounding or flag-waving, the traditional Canadian thing to do is try to humble that person. It's a social leveling mechanism, often referred to as "shaming the meat" - it's obviously used by a lot of other cultures, but not particularly the Americans - my family does it a lot with hunting and fishing.
Possibly Sawbill but I've always been proud to join in the pride and "fanfare" of singing O Canada with the best of Canadians and I am pleased to see the pride in Canadians at the hockey games, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by sawbill
They do look at me a little oddly when playing the US teams and I stand, salute and sing the Star Spangled Banner, then remain standing and belt out O Canada when on Canadian ice.
I don't see well heeled, quiet Canadians singing, I see them as proud Canadians and why shouldn't they be?
That is a rhetorical question.
We have a certain amount of pride, make no mistake and we do tend to be understated, quiet, respectful about it. You know what they say about overt confidence and quiet confidence. Its the quiet ones you need to be wary of.......
That said, our "image", or widly thought of by others down south and across the pond is that of the quiet apologist, Gomer Pyles etc, etc. Much as many think of Americans as boorish, full of themselves, overtly confident..(doesn't mean they all are) .Ying/Yang.
That said, back when Desert Storm started, I happened to tune into the first Philly home game. When whats her name started to sing it, the energy in the arena was palpable, even through the TV and I got goosebumps. Cant think of a single time hearing the our national anthem had that effect on me. Good on you R.
Utopia if it exist lies somewhere on our borders. Politically and in this. We could use some "pride and glory", the US some restraint and humble pie. Balance and moderation in all things.
Just my Cdn 2 loonies