Supporting Korean War Veterans

Let’s not forget our “forgotten war,” and all the trouble it created for our soldiers years later.

Last month, on July 27, our nation marked the 59^th year since the end of the Korean War – or, more technically, the ceasefire that brought the fighting to an end and established a demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea.

In all, more than 30,000 American soldiers were killed and thousands more injured in the battle that stretched from 1950 to 1953 and launched the beginning of the Cold War.

Like all other 20^th century American wars, the Korean War was a brutal conflict and its veterans returned home with a host of mental and physical ills. Many of these veterans in subsequent years struggled to connect with their co-workers, families and communities, and eventually they ended up homeless on the streets.

I’ve seen estimates that as many as 15 percent of our nation’s homeless veterans have been those who fought in the Korean War conflict. To think that the veterans who served in this distant war so many decades ago were still homeless in recent years is both tragic and heartbreaking.

Veterans Support Organization has dedicated itself to providing jobs and housing for homeless or needy veterans from all our nation’s wars. We’ve got more than a 190 workers seeking donations from the public in 19 states. The money raised by our work program employees goes to paying their salaries that they otherwise would not have. The money generated by donations also goes to our charitable projects initiatives that pays for projects at VA centers and other worthy veterans causes.

So let’s remember the bravery and sacrifices made during the Korean War.

The battles at the Pusan Perimeter, the landing at Inchon, and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir should never be forgotten.  Our soldiers fought in some of the harshest conditions imaginable to prevent the spread of communism and restore peace and freedom in the troubled region. 

And since some of these veterans are still struggling today, we all need to honor them by donating to their causes and keeping them in our prayers.