Just browsing by today, and saw your posts here. We are both "old timers" to Korea, and have a lot in common, being retired military, yet still moving forward. I enjoy all of your posts! I am a Civilian type now, in Seoul.
Mike was at Osan, under a different AF General. Obviously discipline has gone to hell there since the days when I was an enlisted man there, (59-62)!

General LaPorte signed out yesterday, going into retirement. General B.B. Bell replaces him. Neither would allow the disrespect Mike spoke of to go on on their watch. I am appalled that it goes on at Osan! It was not so in my time there. I recall ,years ago, walking by the AF HQ building on Osan once at 1700. The Star Spangled Banner began to play, and all traffic and pedestrians stopped; except for three young ROKAF enlisted kids, walking arm in arm, as buddies do, and they were talking, oblivious to the music, the stopped traffic and the flags.
There was a ROKAF Lt. Col across the street. He saw them, too. He did not interfere until after the last note was played. Then he yelled "YAH!" loud enough to stop them in their tracks halfway up the next block! I watched with pleasure as they ran back to him, saluted,and stood at attention, facing the now naked flagpoles of the U.N., the U.S. and Korea. I was across the street, but I heard every word the ROKAF Col. said! I had studied Korean at the base education center, and understood just enough to be dangerous. He spoke excitedly at first, then in lower tones. He stood in front of each one, and after explaining protocol to each, he slapped each one twice, and I could hear and feel all six slaps! I suspect that they had no trouble remembering what to do when the music played after that! (I still remember,
after over 40 years!) God bless that Lt. Col. and General Patton!

Joe;

You have a few years on me <g>

I also remember those early days very well. As Scott, the individual who pointed out that most of the youth as well as the older have fond memories of Korea in those years. We have seen Korea grow from a poor country to a bustling country with a strong economy. One of the pictures I seen of Song Tan circulating on the net was how I remembered my first assignment there. I believe the old timers in Korea now and appreciate the freedom they had fought for. They also have fond memories; however things change with time and it is how we embrace the change is what makes who we are. In a creative writing class I came across the following quote from a Zen Master that has stayed with me for several years.

Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure. But unfortunately, although it is true, it is difficult for us to accept it. Because we cannot accept the truth of transience, we suffer.

I keep it close to remind me of the changes that occur around us.

I also was very intrigued by Asian culture and Korean history. In fact I had to back off sometimes when I used to have discussions with Korean men on Korean history. I believe we have to look beyond the anti-Americanism that is occurring since it is limited to very few. The population in Seoul is 14 million when they have a demonstration they may have a thousand at most show up.

The best President Korea had was, Park Chung Hee. He was the one who really placed Korea on the road to where they are today. I am in earnest hopes of his daughter becoming the next President. I believe she will lead the country in the direction they should go. I am a little concerned that the next president will be the Unification Minister; however the Korean people need to decide their leader. I believe the younger generation has focus on a glorious re-union with their brethren. Unfortunately this is a fairy tale, that if it does come true they will regret. They only have to look to Germany for the reality of future re-unification. The leadership wants the labor force that is available and will make any sacrifice to attain the goal. The current Korean economy was based on the strong export market of the 70’s that allowed them to invest in the future, while the US was guarding Freedom’s Frontier. As with any country was you begin to see what is there greed takes over (credit card debit). The labor is now beginning to move off shore to China. The problem has always been the time to manufacture the goods. It would be more advantageous to have the labor force in the North.

Oh well enough rambling, I will be out of the loop for the next couple of days.