Remembering Our Veterans: My Best Fourth of July
by Michael MandavilleOur Heroes are everywhere. They pass by us at the market. They work for us. They walk our streets. I’m talking about the men and women of our Armed Forces who serve and have served our country ably, courageously and without acclaim. We all know one such individual. They don’t talk much about it, except with hesitation and humility. And they believe that their unbelievably difficult sacrifices have been forgotten.
Letter of Appreciation [click to enlarge]
And they live across from us. One such Hero is Adolph Arujo who served in the Korean war as a medic in the 2nd Infantry Division in the Punchbowl. This area had some of the fiercest fighting of the war such as Heartbreak Ridge.
We have never spoken in detail about the War nor will we. Courtesy of Hollywood movies, I can imagine the devastation of a friend’s horrible death at your side. I can imagine the onslaught of an attack and gut-bending fear that does not deter one from duty. I can imagine the alienation between a soldier and civilian life. But, of course, I’m still just imagining and not living this role. My words are wholly insufficient. Their valor, courage and service is far too incomprehensible in my experience.
I got to talking one day in general about the Korean War with Adolph, including marksmarnship, and then he said, “Nobody remembers and nobody cares.” He shrugged and we parted. That bothered me for a number of years and I had to take action. I wanted to get a letter, a declaration, anything from a Korean government official thanking him for his service. I called the Korean embassy but they didn’t understand. I tried to limp through conversation. I even wrote a letter. Nothing.
Flash forward five, six years. I am working on a film, “Body and Seoul” that is set in Korea. My producing partner, Robert Lennon, speaks Korean fluently, married a Korean woman and served in Korea. He is in Korea for two months to arrange talent, finance and locations. Over this time, he speaks to numerous officials, politicians and others in pursuit of our film project – and this letter. He is meticulous, unfailingly polite and determined. At last, he gets a former Minister of Defense, a Major General, Chairman of their Joint Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Commander of South Korean-US Combined Forces Command, etc., to write a letter thanking my Korean War-vet friend.
In part, the letter says, “On behalf of the Korean people and government, I would like to express my belated appreciation for your extraordinary courage, noble sacrifice and contribution to the war effort that you have show during times of war. We owe a debt of gratitude to you for your service in the Korean War and you will be remembered forever by the Korean people as our true friend, who protected our nation.”
Today, fifty-five years after the cessation of hostilities on the Peninsula, the Socialist Left-wing dictatorship of North Korea still threatens the Freedom and Liberty of the South Korean people. The recent missile and rocket launches, blustering rhetoric and refusal to discuss its nuclear proliferation make the border between North and South Korea one of the most dangerous areas in the world. The thirty-eight miles between the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the South Korean capital of Seoul is sewn with defense mines, huge tank traps and other methods to block any massive North Korean attack.
I got the letter, and with a family, career and other obligations, I found months had gone by trying to find the right day and time to present it. And then suddenly the Fourth of July was coming. I hustled and put the letter in a frame, his other wartime photos and documents supplied covertly by his son.
I presented it to him on the Fourth of July, telling Adolph that as long as I am alive, that as long as my children are alive, that his sacrifice will never be forgotten for our Freedom and that of the South Korean people. Amazingly, my friend, Robert, and Adolph were both in the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and share the same birthday. I do not believe that this is coincidence.
Freedom does not know time. The fight for Freedom comes full circle from generation to generation. My guess is that the experiences of Adolph in the Punchbowl are as real to him today as they were 55 years ago. But, hopefully, today and tonight, he and all our vets sleep a little better at night from the horrors of war. I believe that War is the second worst condition that humanity can experience.
The first is slavery. The South Korean people do not know of the first and the North Korean people know nothing other than slavery, starvation and brutality.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to you for your service in the Korean War and you will be remembered forever by the Korean people as our true friend, who protected our nation.”
What did I get out of all this? The idea that we have to remember their sacrifices like they happened yesterday. For them, it still does. And the best Fourth of July. Ever.
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32 Comments
Michael – a very nice post. My hat goes off to Adolph Arujo
Please pass my sincerest appreciation on to Mr Arujo. And to yourself Mr. Mandaville.
Very nice indeed sir! May God bless the American military, those who have served, and those presently serving.
powerful commentary
thank you
The Korean War is known as the Forgotten War, and, sadly, the nickname is much too true. Happy to read this effort to change that. We need a lot of similar efforts, while the veterans of that struggle are still with us.
"A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check
made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of
'up to and including their life.' That is Honor, and there are way too
many people in this Country who no longer understand it.'
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Thank you Michael for sharing this story today. It is an important reminder to never forget all those who have served our country with great honor and pride.
Well done, sir.
Last year on Memorial Day, my family and I went to breakfast and I noticed across the room an elderly gentleman with his family. He was dressed in his World War 2 era uniform, and although he was probably in his 80's, he was still an impressive figure. As we were leaving, I went over and thanked him for his service to this great nation. As these heroes often do, he said something along the lines of "We were only doing our duty."
The man's dauther met me in the parking lot, and with tears in her eyes, thanked me for my gesture. I decided then and there that whenever I had the chance to thank a vet, I'd do it, and I'm raising my sons to do the same.
Well done, sir, well done.
Michael, You showed Adolph great Honor in what you did. I especially hope that others show this same type of honor when they meet and speak with veterans and not ask any details of what they have seen. If a veteran wants to speak about it they will. And if by some small chance they do want to speak about war: the best thing to do is shut up and listen.
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That is awesome! Thanks for this post. Speachless…….
Thank you sir!
God Bless All who serve!
Here is sobering site –
http://www.koreanwar-educator.org/topics/casualti...
Sobering indeed. Thank you Pat for linking this. Brave souls, heroes all.
If you are interested, here is a link to a film project Capt. Brian Iglesias is working on about the Chosin Reservoir Campaign. He could use some financial support to help him finish up by September. If you or anyone you know is able to help, please do and pass on the link.
http://www.frozenchosin.com/
Thanks again Pat and God Bless.
Thank you Adolph Arujo. Our family salutes you!
It’s amazing the courage that the American soldier shows, the citizen soldier is a prime example of what makes America the greatest country in the history of mankind.
A good friend and neighbor now deceased, landed at Omaha Beach. He received three purple hearts, and two bronze stars during the war. He would never talk about Omaha Beach. The only thing he ever said was that he was in the third wave. The guys that went in before him were the heros.
Years ago, during the Vietnam war, I believed in all the hippie peace and love ideals, and was greatly against war. During a vist to England, my passport was stolen. To get a new passport was expensive, so I called my family for money, but could not pick it up because I had no ID! I was standing outside Western Union with my friend tearfully bemoaning my situation when a very nicely dressed older woman offered me money.
I was stunned. She told she wanted to help me, because I was American. She said " I'll never forget what America did for us during the war."
That experience opened my eyes. This nice lady was so affected that, years after the war, she still needed to have a practical way to thank American GI's for their sacrifice. The fight for freedom came full circle to me that day, and opened my eyes to the true meaning of heroism. Thanks for reminding me!
Thank you Michael, it was an honor to read about Mr. Arujo. May God bless him and you for allowing us to read about one our true heroes.
What a fine story! Thanks for telling us about it.
Mr Mandaville, Adolf Arujo has my deepest respect, honor, and gratitude, …..but I also thank YOU for this post. It inspires us all to at least TRY to find ways to thank the unsung heroes among us.
My father was in the Navy and his ship was sunk twice and I never knew until I befriended a couple at work, and it turned out that my older friend had been one of the sailors that saved my father on a different ship. I never knew anything about his experiences in the service until they met and found out their paths had crossed on that day. My friend was also at Pearl Harbor on the day it was bombed. Our families would get together often and they would be in their own little world with their stories. They would never talk about it other wise. My friend also was in the secret service when the younger Gov Brown was in office in CA, boy he had some stories about him! I can't believe he might run again. My friend died 4 yrs ago and I miss him so much, they don't make em like that any more. My dad is still going strong though but has never said a word about it since. My heart breaks when I see that captured soldier, we all need get down on our knees and pray he survives those evil people. Thank you for this story it brought back great memories, and to all the soldiers who sacrificed for my freedom, Thank You!
And thank you, sir, for taking it to the next generation. Every chance we get, especially in public to demonstrate this appreciation is crucial for our future. We are all Citizen Soldiers.
Wow.. Michael I dunno what to say, other than Major thanks for pushing onward when it seemed to be at all a standstill in your efforts for this.
Tears in my eyes. My grandfather was always choked up as he spoke of his experience in Korea during the war. When he would discuss it, anyway. To this day, I have an incredible appreciation for Korean War veterans. Such a profound letter. Thank you.
The Forgotten war, it is for the masses, however in my household I hear about it almost everyday. My Father was a pilot in the navy and my father in law was a ground solider for the greatest armed force in the world he fought with the Marines. I am very proud of both of them and myself and my family can have there freedoms becasue of these indivduals. Great article and we can never forget what these men and women have done for this great country!!!!
Thank you Michael for the beautiful article and for the recognition of my grandfather Mr. Adolph Arujo.
This meant and means a great deal to my family.
Thank you.
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