News-Info-Alerts

Re: Korean War Reunion

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: September 04, 2002

"Korean vets to reunite in Pueblo West this week

By GAYLE PEREZ
The Pueblo Chieftain

Fifty years ago, Richard Weakley was drafted into the U.S. Army.

The Pueblo West resident joined hundreds of other young men who were trained and sent off to fight in the Korean War as members of the 61st Field Artillery Battalion Chitose-Younguns.

Two years later, the majority of those men came back to the United States and went on with their lives in towns throughout the country.

The ties that held them together during the war have continued to keep them together even today.

"We started together in basic training and then went to Korea and Japan," said Weakley, who organized the reunion. "Most of us were discharged together and now we're sticking together."

Beginning Thursday, Weakley and more than 75 other members of the 61st Field Artillery Battalion Chitose-Younguns will gather for a three-day reunion in Pueblo West.

The event also will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Korean War and a special display on the war will be set up at the Pueblo West Best Western Inn.

The event, which will center around a 1950s theme, will kick off today with a patriotic program at 4:30 p.m.

Scott Defenbaugh, president of the Dutch Nelson Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association and Wi Jo Kang, a representative of the Colorado Springs Korean-American Society will be the guest speakers.

Defenbaugh and Kang also will present the "Ruptured Duck" medals to all the Korean War veterans. The medals, which originally were presented to World War II veterans, have been authorized by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to be given to Korean War veterans.

On Friday, the members of the battalion will be presented with Korean veteran pins.

The event will conclude Saturday with a dinner banquet, also at the Pueblo West Inn.

Retired Col. Bill McSpadden will talk about the 9/11 attack on the United States. Weakley's wife Audrey will present her husband with a flag and certificate that was flown on a refueling mission over Afghanistan.

Weakley also will pay tribute to the 9/11 victims, their families and the rescue workers.

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