HAVE YOU CONSIDERED North Korea and the recent missile threats lobbed against the U.S.?
I have.
U.S. Army Cpl. Elvern Kletscher, my father, in the trenches in Korea.
For me it’s personal. Personal because some 60 years ago my father, dead 10 years now, fought as an infantryman in the Korean War. On February 26, 1953, he was struck by shrapnel at Heart Break Ridge. In May 2000, he was awarded a Purple Heart for those wounds. I don’t need to explain Heart Break Ridge. The name tells the story.
Today I reflect on his horrible experiences there and wonder whether that war was worth all the death, all the physical and psychological damage inflicted upon those who fought? Like my dad.
I suppose you could wonder this about any war. Was the war worth the lives lost, the lives changed?
The answer to that question cannot be tidied into a succinct statement, for the response would vary depending on your perspective—perhaps as a soldier, a parent who lost a son or daughter, the daughter who watched her father struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
War is never neat and tidy, but rather complicated.
Did the Korean War halt the spread of Communism? Yes, in the south.
This photo, pulled from the shoebox which holds my dad’s military photos, is simply labeled “front line.” That would be “front line” as in Korea, where my soldier father fought.
Yet, despite the signing of a truce, a definite uneasiness has existed between the two Koreas, separated by a 155-mile long, 2.5-mile wide fortified Demilitarized Zone, for 60 years.
Now North Korea’s new leader, Kim Jong-un, has thrown the region into even more uncertainty by his actions and threatened actions. I won’t expound, only note that when I heard mention of North Korean missiles on standby to possibly strike U.S. targets in Hawaii, Washington, Los Angeles and Austin (Texas), I listened. Anytime a specific place in the U.S. is named, the entire situation becomes much more personal.
I suppose that is part of the strategy, to heighten anxieties. With so much information out there, whom do we believe? Is North Korea capable? Is it not?
This photo from my dad’s collection is tagged as “Kim, Rowe, Allen & me, May 1953 Machine Gun Crew.” That’s my father on the right.
What would my Dad, who termed Korea “a hell hole,” say about all of this?
What would Teri Rae say about all of this? She was only six weeks old when her dad died. My father witnessed Ray’s death on the battlefield. (Click here to read about Ray.) He never forgot. I’ve never forgotten either the heart-wrenching and horrific story of the Nebraska soldier who never returned home to his wife or his first-born.
These are my thoughts as I consider the unsettling situation unfolding in Korea.
What are your thoughts?
© Copyright 2013 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I must admit it makes me nervous to hear the boasts and threats coming from that area but I also know that things are in movement to help protect the US and most likely things have been in place for quite a while that we do not know about. I am not a fan of war—don’t really know why anyone would be—-but sometimes it happens regardless of what “we” think is best. I try not to worry about things like that too much but maybe the better word is that I am aware of it and try to not let worry creep in. If I allowed that I probably would not be able to function with all the things there are that are concerning!
I think you’re’ spot-on correct with all of your statements. This situation, though, is more personal for me given my dad’s experience. I can’t help but ask why the situation with North Korea has been ongoing for 60 years. But I suppose you could say that about the Middle East, too.
Thank you for this. Yes, scary. I have grandparents day today to distract me, in Franklin, Audrey
Grandparents Day sounds like an excellent distraction. Enjoy your day on the prairie.
Lets just say, “I’m proud to be an American”, and thankful for the men and women who keep us safe (your dad).
Me, too. And that’s the perspective I have to take when considering war.
It makes me nervous – America is not immune – 9/11, Pearl Harbor. I am proud to live in America and try not to take what rights we have as Americans for granted. My dad and his brothers served in the Air Force and thank all the men and women who keep this country safe as well as the people safe – THANK YOU!!! Loving your post – thanks for sharing more about your father and the great service he gave to his country:) Happy Friday – Happy Weekend!!!
We’ve certainly learned that, haven’t we, that we are not immune? I, too, appreciate all those who have served, including your family members, and those who are serving.
I have a friend living in South Korea right now. She wrote a post about it the other day that might, maybe a little, help ease your immediate fears. It did for me at least…. http://www.californiatokorea.com/2013/04/how-north-koreas-threats-feel-in-south.html
Now this was insightful. Thank you for the link. Readers, check this assessment, direct from an American living in South Korea.
I’ve only been reading your posts for a week or so – this is my first comment. I really enjoy your blog!! Regarding the “unfinished war” of Korea – consider the results from the Koreans’ point of view. Broadly speaking those in the North want to move to the South. Those in the South do not want to go to the North, but pity their plight and send help as they are able. This was told to me by a family we knew from Seoul.
Thank you for sharing this, Marilyn. First-hand, insider perspectives like this always enlighten.
And welcome to my readership. I’m happy to have you here at Minnesota Prairie Roots.
Am praying somehow this doesn’t happen … another mad man … and there has been enough bloodshed the past 10 years ….
I so agree. My husband calls Kim Jong-un a “loose cannon.” And those are the most frightening leaders.
This is a very complex and difficult to understand situation for sure! Is their leader serious, out to prove himself or carrying out something his father had somehow planned? Regardless of the reasoning (or lack thereof) a news comment tonight stated that sanctions/aggressive response only brings out the worst type of response and, although the seriousness cannot be overlooked, possibly some type of diplomatic dialog must begin on some level to diffuse the rising hostilities being pointed outward!
Diplomatic dialogue seems a good idea, although Kim Jong-un likely would not be open to that. He seems determined, as you say, to prove himself, his power.
I very much agree. The person who suggested such dialog had much experience with that people group felt that it was almost assured that if there were perceived threats from us (or someone) that he would feel ‘attacked’ and have to ‘prove’ he was tougher (so as to ‘save face’?). I can see that as a possibility but I don’t see dialog as a viable/realistic option.
North Korea is in such a mess. The population is starving (except those high-up in government positions who reward themselves handsomely) and Christians are persecuted (more than 60,000 are in prison camps being starved and tortured) and now this loose canon of a leader is threatening war. It is a shame the Korean War couldn’t have resulted in the extinction of communism that has brought nothing but misery to its people. I’m so sorry for your dad and his mates who had to fight a war in such ‘a hell-hole’. xx
Interesting that you should also call Kim Jong-un a “loose cannon,” the same term my husband uses. I was unaware of the persecution of Christians; it’s so easy to become oblivious to these situations living here in the U.S. Thank you, Charlie, for educating me on that. Sounds like we all need to do a lot of praying.
Audrey, I think on of the great disservices to all those that served in Korea was it being a classified as a conflict. As if going halfway around the world and serving, possibly dying in a conflict was somehow less than doing the same in a “real war”.
I agree with you on that word usage, Ryan. The “Korean Conflict” was no less a war than any other war.