Page 149 - Stand Down Vietnam

This tour of duty introduced me to many things. I
learned about life in Korea by living with a Korean
family, for a few months, and helping them with their
crops. They had apple trees and a small plot of rice.
I quickly learned the difference between summer and
winter Kimchi (fermented vegetables).

My favorite Korean food is Beef Bulgogi with fried rice

and Kimchi. I also like Chap Chee noodles. Eating
these three Korean meals; I literally gained forty
pounds on that thirteen-month tour of duty.

My major form of relaxation was reading, I think I read
every book in our small post library. During my tour
in Korea, I also learned the art of Tae Kwon Do and
enjoyed the thrill of training for and making 14 sport
parachute jumps. Local farmers loved it when I was up
there. They knew I was going to drop in for a visit
and be required to pay a fine for damaging their crops.
I was not the only one to pay for the “damage”.

On the moderate side of life, I also visited Seoul,
South Korea’s capital city. I studied the Korean
people and their culture by visiting the National
Museum of Korea. I returned many times to increase my
knowledge and to get a break from my military duties.
One display that caught my attention and which I
thought “out of place” was a statue of The Thinker, by

Rodin. I can’t fully explain it, but that image and
the “critical thinking” philosophy became a part of my
life.

Music also played a significant role in my life during
that tour in Korea. I started listening to Cat
Stevens’ Father and Son, Where Do the Children Play and
Peace Train. They were songs that made me think.
Critical thinking had become an integral part of my
life.