To the Editor:

Who: The Communist North – supported by China and Russia. The South supported by the United States and the United Nation’s 21 countries.

What: The Korean Peninsula (Choson), “Land of the Morning Calm” – a dagger pointed directly at Japan.

Where: An Asian country fought over by China, Mongolia, and Japan.

When: June 25, 1950 through June 1953. Three years of continuous battle.

Why: After World War II, hostilities grew between the Communist countries of Russia, which was our ally, and China, which we fought for and supplied during World War II. Both of these former friends were interested in solidifying and expanding their interests in their respective parts of the globe. It came to a line in the sand where the free world stood against this expansionism.

After it was all over, what was accomplished? Millions gave their lives in this “Forgotten War.” We now see a Europe that is robust and democratic. In Korea, we see the South, now one of the most successful economies in Asia with a free people setting their own course, choosing to join the free world. The North lives in slavery under a blood dictatorship. Look at the peninsula at night and the North is a black hole.

Robert W. Houghtaling

USMC 1177574

1st Marine Division

Weapons Company

Korea 1951