THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610200048
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 85 lines
It had been a long time coming, but Korean War veterans finally got the homecoming and thanks they deserved.
More than 40 years after returning from the other side of the world - only to be shipped back to work or school without a celebration - 1,000-plus airmen, sailors, soldiers and Marines were honored with a ``Welcome Home Parade'' Saturday at the Oceanfront.
The event was part of the second annual Korean War Veterans National Reunion - four days of dinners, dances and gatherings that began Tuesday.
``Better late than never,'' said retired Army Master Sgt. Richard Gallmeyer, who organized the reunion from his Kempsville home with other local vets - and who had to cancel the parade last year because of weather. ``We've been waiting for this for 43 years.''
They hadn't just been waiting for a party or parade, or recognition for their service. Many came from as far away as California, Washington and even Luxembourg to get together with their war buddies, to swap stories and business cards - with hopes to never lose touch again.
``We talk about so many things,'' Gallmeyer said. ``So many things went on.''
Co-organizer and retired Marine Corps Sgt. Floyd Newkirk added: ``There are a lot of funny stories.''
Like the drunken stupors and makeshift toilets in the woods. And that time in '51, the year he missed Christmas because he crossed the International Dateline on Dec. 24, which meant he skipped right over Dec. 25.
``Santa Claus didn't come that year,'' he joked.
There was time for the not-so-funny stories, too. The ones about the more than 33,000 who didn't make it back from the war against communism, a war that ended in a stalemate in July 1953.
They were recognized in a memorial service on Friday.
The Korea vets had been ignored - neither honored, as were those who served in World War II, nor reviled, as were those who served in Vietnam.
``Nobody ever knew what we went through, because we didn't talk about it,'' Gallmeyer said. ``It was depressing.
``Here, we can open up. We're family. It's OK to talk about it.''
After the laughter, and after the tears, Saturday's parade was the grand finale - the big bang that organizers wanted everyone to remember.
Under a clear sky - but against a fierce wind - hundreds of spectators, vets and nonvets, lined Atlantic Avenue to watch the bands, active duty and retired personnel, and modern and war-era military vehicles - from the old ``mules'' to newer Jeeps - make their way down 19 blocks.
``I've been nuts for parades ever since I was a child,'' said Jesse Rodriguez, a retired Navy chief and Chicagoan who served in World War II. ``I still get a lump in my throat when I see Old Glory go by.''
Rodriguez and his wife, June, set up two wooden chairs at 17th Street to watch their son, retired Navy Cmdr. Glenn Rodriguez, walk with the Knights of Columbus.
``It's a good feeling to see these guys,'' said Rodriguez, wearing a USS Yorktown cap. ``These guys who love their country as much as I do.''
Although this year's reunion party is over, its end marks the beginning for organizers. It's back to the computers, phones and letters for a half-dozen or so local vets, who plan to continue collecting names, addresses and phone numbers to add to their database.
They already have more than 2,000 listings.
``I just hope it grows and that Korea is never forgotten,'' added co-organizer Philip Egert, who served in the Army for 24 years. ``We'll never forget.'' MEMO: To reach co-organizer Dick Gallmeyer, call 464-1233 or (800)
523-4715, or write him at P.O. Box 8946, Virginia Beach, Va. 23464. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
L. TODD SPENCER
Saturday's parade along the Oceanfront ended decades of aching
silence for many veterans of the three-year war that ended only in a
stalemate. by CNB