I thought that a good site to visit toward the beginning of my tour in Korea would be The War Memorial of Korea right off post in Yongsan-gu. It is more than just a memorial but a very well-done museum with most signs and descriptions in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese. What really struck me about the memorial and museum is how they honored not just their own Service Members who served and died but also -to the extreme- those from other countries who came to Korea to help preserve their freedom from Communist rule.
The museum features exhibits and artifacts from the earliest Korean history all the way through their involvement in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Here are a few pictures from my visit, but there was way too much to see to preserve on film (or digits)! To keep the post from being too long, I’ll divide it up into outside and inside pictures.
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“The Statue of Brothers…is a symbol of the Korean War…The upper part of the statute depicts a dramatic moment when a South Korean officer and his younger brother, a North Korean Soldier, encounter and embrace each other at the battlefield. The statue expresses reconciliation, love, and forgiveness…The crack in the dome stands for the division of Korea and the hope for reunification.”Another view of The Statue of Brothers“Objects inside the dome [of The Statue of Brothers] include a mosaic wall painting that expresses the spirit of the Korean people to overcome the national tragedy and a map plate of the 16 UN Allied Nations that dispatched troops to the war. Links of iron chain on the ceiling signify the unbreakable bonds of a united Korea.”Inside the dome, the plaque on the floor showing the U.S. forces that participated in the Korean War.
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The Tower of Korean War. “Symbolizing the image of a bronze sword and a tree of life. The bronze sword represents the time-honored history and the warrior spirit. The tree of life symbolizes the prosperity and peace of the Korean people.”A closer view of the Tower of Korean War
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Statues Defending the Fatherland: “The statues represent 38 people from all walks of life who overcame the Korean War and depict the suffering and pain caused by the war while embodying the sublime spirit of sacrifice and dedication to the defense of the fatherland of past patriots.”Statues Defending the FatherlandStatues Defending the Fatherland
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“The Monument of King Gwanggaeto the Great (391~413) was built by his son King Jangsu (413~491) in 414 B.C. in commemoration of his father. ” (This is a life-size replica of the original monument currently located in China.)
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“Erecting the Clock Tower: Symbolizing War and Peace, a Twin Clock Tower Points to a new time of New Millennium on a pile of rusty arms. Stopped clock wrecked by the Korean War. Here a Clock Tower is erected for the day of reunification, again beating like the hearts of two girls.”“The Clock of Hope for Peaceful Reunification: Someday when Unification is realized this Clock will be put on the Clock Tower and will indicate the time of Unification.”
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This picture shows a sampling of the many military aircraft used in Korea’s history on display outside of the museum……and the tanks and artillery……and lots of other military equipment!
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Referring to the boat on the left, “The PKM-357 National Security Exhibition Pavilion pays tribute to the six heroes of PKM-357 who have died with honor. The 2nd Sea battle of Yeonpyeong (29, June 2002) while fighting the enemy in order to safeguard the country’s waters and contribute to promoting the national security awareness of the people with the importance of defending the NLL.”This is a 1:1 scale reproduction of the PKM-357. The original “is exhibited at the park of the Second Fleet Command, ROK Navy.”
Alright, I finally found that elusive McDonald’s in Itaewon! I got a Double Bulgogi Burger meal for just ￦5500 (about $5) and it was delicious! Not only that, my Coke came in a hard plastic (not-disposable) glass!
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I know that this isn’t “real” Korean food, but it is unique to Korean McDonald’s and “bulgogi” is a Korean-seasoned beef (and…I like McDonald’s).
Staying at the hotel, then once moved into my quarters and not having time to get to the commissary I’ve been having to eat out every meal. This is getting old! Finally today after work I had time to get to the commissary to get some food. I was limited on how much I could get since I had to take a taxi to my quarters, but at least I got a start.
I was surprised at how large and well-stocked the commissary is. I could find just about anything I was looking for, with the exception of turkey lunch meat, which I thought was odd. It could just be that they were out, but the only packaged lunch meat I found was roast beef and salami. Curious.
At any rate, I was able to get some food in the frig and cupboards so I can eat at home more.
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Not a lot, but enough for now.Got to have some junk food, right?They sure make a big deal about their eggs! (I know that the picture is upside down. Baffled).Spam, yes! Interestingly, spam is much-loved here in Korea!
I guess when I was setting my alarm last night (half asleep) I set the time an hour ahead too. I didn’t notice until I went to an office wondering why they weren’t open yet! I didn’t think that I was bothered by jet-lag, but I was up early and it didn’t feel odd, so I guess maybe I’m not adjusted yet!
I didn’t want to be stuck in the hotel or on base all weekend, so I just went a little off post on Saturday, but walked for about 4 hours. I saw just a small part of Seoul, Yongsan-Gu. It was really hot and frankly, the walk wore me out but it was nice to see this side of Seoul and experience the culture just a little bit. My one interaction was buying a bottle of water. I don’t know what he said, but gave him a large enough bill that I knew it was enough. I counted it up later and I think that bottle of water was just about a quarter!
Here are some pictures from my walk with descriptions below them (coming soon):
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I’m not sure what this drink is (the other side says “Chilsung Cider”) but it’s cheap, tasty and refreshing!A large Christian Church.A common site in the U.S., I didn’t expect so many 7-11s here but there is just about one every other block in one section of town where I walked!A padded sidewalk. This was a relief by this time on my walk!Another large Christian Church.You can barely see the roofs of these houses but they seem to be much more modest than the apartment buildings all around them. They are located between the tall city high-rises and the river (right beside the railroad tracks).A sample of the road signs. Most have Korean and English (thankfully!).A prominent recruiting sign. All Korean males are required to serve for 2 years in the military or (as I understand it) some other government job. Some, however, choose to make the military a career.The description of an historic site (which I just stumbled over on my walk) from the late Joseon period (1392-1910). It is the Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion, where King Jeongjo stopped to rest before crossing the Han River. The next few pictures are of this site, with a description of it in English.Looking up a street on the far side of the Hangang from Yongsan.Crossing under busy intersections through tunnels and passage ways.A really good map of the area but the only thing is English is “You are here”!The description of the Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion in English.Inside the Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion.Inside the Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion.Inside the Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion.The Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion.The Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion.The Yongyangbongjeojeong Pavilion.Yet another large Christian Church.A view of the city from the bridge crossing the Hangang (Han River).A view of the city from the bridge crossing the Hangang (Han River).A view of the city.A view of the city to include some of the traffic. This was mild.On an island in the Han River, connected by a bridge, there is space for public vegetable gardens (at least until construction begins on the planned development of the island. You can read more about the island here: http://english.seoul.go.kr/policy-information/urban-planning/urban-planning/2-introduction-to-nodeulseom/On an island in the Han River, connected by a bridge, there is space for public vegetable gardens (at least until construction begins on the planned development of the island. You can read more about the island here: http://english.seoul.go.kr/policy-information/urban-planning/urban-planning/2-introduction-to-nodeulseom/On an island in the Han River, connected by a bridge, there is space for public vegetable gardens (at least until construction begins on the planned development of the island. You can read more about the island here: http://english.seoul.go.kr/policy-information/urban-planning/urban-planning/2-introduction-to-nodeulseom/A Korean military monument (apparently honoring Korean “airborne” Soldiers) is on the island just in front of the public vegetable gardens.A Korean military monument (apparently honoring Korean “airborne” Soldiers) is on the island just in front of the public vegetable gardens.Nice hiking and biking trails along the Han River with places to stop for rest, refreshment and exercise.
After seeing the apartment where they wanted to put me and feeling so down and wanting even more to go home, I got to thinking about other possibilities and looked up AR 210-50, “Housing Management” where at 3-6, n. it states, “Unmarried chaplains and unaccompanied married chaplains will compete equally for AFH [Accompanied Family Housing] with sponsors within the appropriate grade category.” Could it be? Dare I hope?
This provision has been used primarily for Roman Catholic chaplains who seldom have family and shouldn’t be stuck in single-Soldier housing just because their faith demands they remain single, but the provision “unaccompanied married chaplains” opens it up to any chaplain, regardless of marital or religious status, to be eligible for family housing. There is a variety of reasons for this, to include the need for study space away from the commotion of the office, accommodations to meet with Soldiers when they can’t meet at the chaplain’s office, Bible Studies or “presence” social gatherings. Essentially, often the chaplain needs additional space for the performance of his duties much like a commander does, so this provision in Army regulations allows for it.
I went in to talk to the housing office about it and referenced the regulation but the representative I met with didn’t know anything about it so referred me to her supervisor. When I sat down with the supervisor, she looked at my cross (I was in uniform) and said, “Oh, you’re a chaplain! Let’s see what we can do.” She then gave me two duplexes to look at and told me to let her know if either would be acceptable. I looked at the first and it was in a great location with an abundance of trees and seclusion. It seemed to also be a two-bedroom, with the 2nd bedroom used as an office. But it was older and worse for the wear but the size and location made it leaps and bounds better than the 1st apartment they showed me.
The 2nd duplex looked newly remodeled from the outside. When I got inside it looked as though nobody had stayed in it since it had been remodeled. It had all new appliances, cabinets, shelving and bathroom fixtures. I couldn’t believe it! It didn’t take me long to decide on this one. I rushed back to housing, afraid she would give it to someone else before I confirmed that I wanted it. We set an appointment for Monday for the inspection and to sign for it.
I feel much better!
Here are a few pictures of my new -better- home for the next year (a little askew, sorry…I like them straight and in order too):
Here’s the outside of my duplex, my door is on the left. I sure don’t like those trash cans, though!A view of the living room which is actually a “great room” with the kitchen on the other side. The TV stand is still empty, giving me more time to blog!
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I have a humungous laundry room (the other half isn’t in the picture!) with a large closet with shelving for storage…but I didn’t bring that much stuff!Here’s the other side of the “great room” showing the kitchen. There’s not a lot of cabinet space, but I really don’t need much.
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Here’s one side of the giant walk-in closet in the bedroom…I don’t have that many clothes!The bathroom has a shower big enough for a crowd (though I don’t plan on sharing!).
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Here’s the other side of the walk-in closet.The closet side of the bedroom.
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A double bed, but it’s a hard one!There’s room in the bedroom for a bookcase and my desk, though efficiency experts say not to do that….
This afternoon I saw the housing I’ll likely be assigned. I just want to go home.
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Here’s some pictures of where they want to put me:
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I know it’s not all that bad and certainly nicer than my other deployments, but coming from my spread in the country…with my family…this just doesn’t feel good.
Chaplain News from the Front 