Soldiers plant seeds to build bond

DAEGU, South Korea -- The devastation that the Korean War brought to South Korea was not limited to the lives lost in battle. The pursuit of democracy for the South left much of the country destroyed from the blasts. South Korea's post war transformation is not limited to its constant industrial expansion, which has elevated it to the world's 14th largest economy, but also includes the rebirthing and stabilization of the natural land. 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command members volunteered to help Keimyung University in the beautification of their campus during an Arbor Day ceremony April 20. With more than 60 years having passed since the Korean War, Team 19 members remain committed to maintaining the alliance with Korea's future leaders. Soldiers and family members paired off with students to plant Japanese Flowering Dogwood trees on a hill just below the school's chapel. "I enjoyed this event because, with this being my second time being stationed in Daegu, I hadn't done anything like this during my last tour," said Sgt. 1st Class Corwyn Powell, 19th ESC Support Operations. Students led the Soldiers through the campus to an area where they put on a traditional Korean drumming performance and a Tae Kwon Do demonstration. The exhilaration of the routines left the Soldiers in awe as they gave the performers several large rounds of applause. "I was impressed with having known that, in spite of some of the students being in the middle of taking their final exams, they took the time to put on this performance for us," Powell said. Stemming from the ceremony, some Soldiers were able to create a bond with the students that will endure beyond the Arbor Day's event as they exchanged phone numbers, made arrangements to trade pictures and planned to meet again.