Korean War Veterans #155 welcomes new members
The Korean War is often called the forgotten war.
But the veterans from Chapter 155 can never forget it.
“Korean people love Korean veterans because we saved their country and we know that. They really look up to and admire Korean War veterans to the highest esteem,” said President of the Korean War Veterans Southwest Florida Chapter 155, Bob Kent. “That’s probably the best thing that came out of this war.”
Fought from 1950 to 1953, the Korean War is often overshadowed by World War II, which ended five years before the Korea War began, and the Vietnam War, which started five years after the Korean War concluded.
The Korean War saw the United States, South Korea and their allies wage battle against North Korea and the Chinese Communists.
Kent, who was a support person in Okinawa, Japan, joined Chapter 155 in 2002 when they had 150 members.
Now they have 41.
Membership has gone down due to members aging out of the organization.
One of the things Kent enjoys about being part of the chapter is its commitment to veterans in the community.
Chapter 155 has an endowment scholarship with Florida Southwestern that began in 2008. The scholarship is awarded to a veteran or a child or grandchild of a veteran.
For the past five years, the chapter has also provided $500 scholarships to Cape Coral Technical College and Fort Myers Technical College.
The Facebook group has about 200 members and that’s one of the ways the chapter stays active.
Kent says they also collect dues and maintain an active board of directors.
And each Tuesday around 11:30 a.m., a few of them meet, along with some Vietnam veterans, at American Legion Post 90, 1401 S.E. 47th St.
At one point, members had to be in the Korean War for a certain period of time during the conflict.
“But because national membership has dwindled, they’ve opened it up to anyone who has served in Korea for one day,” Kent said. “We are open to accepting any service personal who has served in Korea.”
Chapter 155 is always looking for more members, especially younger members who can take over one day.
“If we don’t get younger members, we’re going to cease to exist,” Kent said.
Widows of Korean War veterans can also join.
Normally, they stay in the chapter after their significant other, who was a veteran, passed away because they’ve made friends, Kent said.
“I joined for some camaraderie and I was interested in knowing other Korean veterans and the activities they do to help support veterans,” Kent said. “It’s just a veterans thing.”
Those interested in joining or learning more about Chapter 155 can contact Kent at 239-945-3018 or rkent9000@aol.com.
To reach KATIE EGAN, please email news@breezenewspapers.com