Posts Tagged ‘Refugees’
Hungnam Evacuation – A Christmas Miracle
In December 1950, dramatic events unfolding in the rugged mountains of North Korea captivated the world’s attention. The Battle of Chosin, one of the fiercest engagements in U.S. history, was taking place in sub-zero temperatures and knee-deep snow. After days of horrific fighting, U.N. troops, surrounded by overwhelming Chinese forces and suffering heavy casualties, began an…
Read MoreLong Live the Lane Victory!
She’s a survivor. SS Lane Victory, one of 534 “Victory” class cargo ships built during World War II, has a proud and storied history. From trans-Pacific operations during the final months of World War II, to rescuing over 7,000 North Korean refugees in December 1950, to delivering supplies throughout the Vietnam War, Lane Victory and…
Read MorePodcast – Col. Edward Forney and the Hungnam Evacuation
Walking from Farragut West station towards the offices of Korea Economic Institute of America, I was excited. I was also tired. I had just arrived from Seoul, and the 17 hours of flying and restless lapses into semi-consciousness on the plane were catching up with me. No worries, I thought. It’s not every day you…
Read MoreMay the Circle Be Unbroken
They boarded a ship on December 19, 1950, and never returned. None of them could have imagined on that fateful day 67 years ago that they were saying goodbye to family and friends – forever. But they survived. With the help of Dr. Hyun Bong-Hak, a Korean doctor who was determined to save them, and…
Read More“They Take Nothing in Life for Granted”
As I was making my way through downtown Seoul today, preoccupied with meetings, this weekend’s June 25th Korean War ceremonies, and an upcoming trip to the States, I saw a huge, outdoor video screen (there are many throughout the city) at Seoul’s City Hall. A famous Korean actor, Jung Woo-Sung – South Korea’s version of…
Read MoreA Beautiful Day, a Bus Full of Friends, and a Tragedy
It was Friday. The sky was blue, the sun was bright, and the air was clean. And I was headed for Geoje Island . . . with a busload of men and women who 67 years ago were North Korean refugees. I had been asked to give a speech at the Hungnam Evacuation Memorial Committee’s annual…
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