CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea (Dec. 8, 2021) – The ROK Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs hosted former U.S. service members for a Revisit Korea program orientation and base tour at Camp Humphreys Dec. 3.
While the program previously was dedicated to service members who served during the Korean War, it now welcomes all former U.S. Forces Korea service members and honors their contribution to the ROK-U.S. alliance.
“I served from 1986-1987 with the 51st security police squadron in Osan, and I worked with the ROK military on the gates at the air base,” said Mark McCraw. “I have had many people who have served in the military. My wife was in the navy, and my grandfathers were in the Korean War, so I am really excited to be here for the revisit tour.”
George Kranske, administrative officer executive assistant from USFK’s transformation and restationing office, painted a vivid picture of Camp Humphreys before 2007. It began as a sea level base with just an air strip surrounded by rice paddies and several Korean villages. For three to four years, 5,000-pound trucks dumped dirt on the land every day to create a high foundation, he explained.
Several veterans’ faces lit up as they remembered what it was like to be stationed on a peninsula as rural as Korea was decades ago.
“I was actually up north near the DMZ. We were a hot missile battalion. It was five miles from the Imjin River. We did air defense for the DMZ area. We were embedded with the 2nd Infantry Division,” said Paul Mallory. “I am just very interested in seeing what the Korean people have done. It’s very interesting to see how they have grown, and how they have built up the whole area is different from when I was here. There were dirt roads and grass shacks and just little huts. From when I was here it is quite a bit of difference.”
Col. Seth Graves, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys commander, welcomed the veterans and gave a windshield tour to show how Humphreys has changed.
“I just want to thank you all for your service. I am very excited to take you on a tour and show you the newest army installation in terms of facilities and the largest OCONUS DoD installation,” said Graves. “We have a very functional state-of-the-art installation here at Camp Humphreys, and we have a lot to show you. I think you will be thoroughly impressed on how the installation has grown from what it used to be to where it is today.”
Heads turned left and right as Graves pointed out the garrison’s major buildings and attractions. He explained that Humphreys now encourages Soldiers to bring their families for their tour in South Korea. Many veterans asked how Soldiers get around such a large base without private vehicles, and Graves explained the base’s taxi services and comprehensive public bus system.
Fingers pointed out the windows and cameras flashed when passing the outdoor pool, the Humphreys Downtown Plaza, the schools, and the family housing towers. The veterans looked amazed and proud that that their service and sacrifice alongside their Korean counterparts contributed to the growth and prosperity of South Korea today.
“I was stationed at Red Cloud for a year, and it was enough at the time for me. We lived in Quonset huts. There was a lot of dirt roads. We would see women washing clothes in the creek, so it was a cross between ‘Mash’ and ‘China Beach,’ but we had a good time and we loved the people,” said Deirdre Howardson. “It was wonderful to come back to Korea. It is so different. They have grown and prospered so much, and I hope I played a little part in defending their freedom and democracy so they could grow this way.”
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