Honored for service - Pictured above are some of the veterans honored Friday night, July 27. In the front row, from right to left are: Vic Fischer, Bill Van hal, Kenny Wizenburg and Burt Knutson. Back row: Kenny Trom, Merrill Jensen, Ed Jensen, DeWayne “Whitey” Hagen and Paul Stender. Star Eagle photo by Kathy Paulsen
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
As the 65th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice approached on July 27 this year, a group at the American Legion and VFW in Blooming Prairie felt it was time to bring to remembrance the "forgotten war" of the 20th Century. The Korean War began back in the spring of 1950 and continued on until July 27, 1953.
Commander Karl Luiken of the Blooming Prairie American Legion Post 52 was recently approached by a group of Korean War veterans, who had concerns about some of the misconceptions about the war and the people who served in it. Karl decided to research this "forgotten war."
Karl learned a great deal, and he felt that it was time that veterans in our area be recognized for their service to their country during the Korean War.
The Blooming Prairie American Legion and VFW hosted a special Korean War Veterans program on Friday night, July 27, an event that honored a number of area veterans.
A social hour began at 5 p.m. and then at 6 p.m. Larry Otto, District Chaplain for the 1st District American Legion, offered a special prayer before a delicious dinner that was served free of charge to a large group of local veterans.
During the evening, Karl shared some of the results of his research. The United Nations Security Council met in New York on June 25, 1950 and approved the Armed Forces to repel North Korea and asked Requesting Member Nations to join. As the city of Seoul, Korea was falling to the North Koreans, the decision was made to destroy the Han River Bridge. On July 1, 1950, General MacArthur secretly flew to an airport near Suwan and by July 4 that year the U.S. Naval, Air and Land Forces were sent to Korea to help enforce sanctions.
On August 25, 1950 Major General William Dean, Commander of the 24th Infantry Division, became the first American general ever to be captured during war time. The war continued for three years, one month and two days before the fighting stopped and marked the Korean Armistice on July 27, 1953. Karl said that the Korean War has been called the "Forgotten War,” but now that he has learned more about it, he will never forget it. He also noted that the Armistice has never been formally signed.
A total of 932,964 people served during the Korean War. 95,772 lost their lives, and there are still 7,700 to 8,000 United States servicemen MISSING IN ACTION.
Following Karl’s presentation, a number of Korean War veterans were recognized, and information about their years of service was shared. A few of them also shared special memories about their "time served" in Korea.
Edwin Jensen was born 1928 in the Geneva area, and enlisted in the United States Army in 1948.
Dennis Jensen was born in 1938 and grew up in the Geneva area. He went on to enlist with the United States Army in 1957.
DeWayne "Whitey" Hagen, was born in 1932 and grew up in the Ellendale area. Whitey served his country in the US Army beginning in 1952.
Bill Van Hal was born in 1931 and grew up in the Hollandale area. He was drafted into the Army in 1952.
Merrill Jensen was born in 1928 and grew up and still lives on the family farm in the Pratt area. Merrill was drafted into the United States Army in 1952.
Vic Fischer was born in 1927 and was drafted into the Army in 1950.
John Whiting was born in 1927 and was drafted into the Army in 1952.
Paul Stender was born in 1932 and left to serve his country in the U.S. Army on the first day that President Eisenhower took office in 1952.
Burt Knutson was born in 1934 and was drafted into the Army in 1958.
Kenny Trom was born in 1934 and enlisted in the Army in 1954.
Kenny Winzenburg was born in 1935 and was drafted to serve his country in 1954.
John Welch was born in 1929 and began serving his country with the U.S. Navy in 1948.
We are thankful that these servicemen were honored for their service to our country during the Korean War.
Along with these servicemen a number of other veterans were also in attendance, including Roger Shaunce, Craig Jensen, Bruce Kubicek, Clete Glynn, and Robert Vaith.
There are countless stories to be told about the Korean Conflict. The conflict was short and at times agonizing, not only for our servicemen, but for the families of the North and South Koreans who suffered needlessly.
Eugene Ottesen, who was from the Ellendale area and was just 20 years old at the time of the Korean War, was one of the servicemen who has never been found. Yet his bravery and loyalty to his comrades is told in several books about the Korean War. His golden marker is in the First Lutheran Cemetery in Ellendale
God Bless America, its allies, the memories of these brave heroes, and all the veterans of the Korean War.