Korea Defense Veterans Association

Join the only organization that advocates for the ROK-U.S. Alliance, and supports and networks for our Veterans. You don't have to be a Veteran to join. Adult supporters of the ROK-U.S. Alliance can join too! “Together for the ROK-U.S. Alliance!” There is no cost to join KDVA. Join today! www.kdva.vet/members #kdva #veterans #rokusalliance

From My Services In Korea I Learned... Peter Thompson I enlisted in the Army in April 1958 and did basic training at Fort Dix, NJ. After basic training, I spent 8 weeks at Fort Gordon, GA, attending MP school. At the end of this training, all but one man was sent to Korea. We flew from Augusta, GA, to Seattle, WA, where we spent most of a week waiting for a troop ship to take us to Korea. The ship stopped in Kodiak, AK, to drop off some families and then on to Yokohama, Japan to drop off more passengers and give us a few hours of shore time. Then it was on to the port of Inchon and debarkation. We were trucked up to ASCOM city to await assignment. After a few days about 24 of us were sent to Hq & Hq Company, US Army Port Inchon. This facility was based on Wolmido Island which is off the coast of Inchon harbor....Read more - https://wp.me/pbefWB-74E #kdva #iservedinkorea --- What did you learn from serving in Korea? Let us know – Sharing your experiences from serving in Korea can be a powerful way to connect with others who have had similar experiences. By sharing your story, you may be able to help others who are currently serving in Korea or who are preparing to do so. You can share insights about the culture, the people, and the challenges you faced while serving. Your story can also help to shed light on the sacrifices that service members and their families make in order to protect our freedoms. So, if you have a story to share, we encourage you to take the time to put it down in writing and send it to [email protected] along with any photos that help to tell your story.

On 21 February 2025, KDVA GA Chapter President Kevin L. Miller was awarded the Order of St. Michael-Airborne on the Airborne Walk at Fort Moore, GA. Awarded by the National Infantry Association and the Chief of Infantry, it is presented to recognize significant contributions made on Airborne, Air Assault, and Special Operations status. The ceremony was conducted by NIA President, Colonel (Ret.) Rob Choppa, and NIMF Vice President of Operations, Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Chris Lewis. Congrats!! #kdva #KDVAGeorgiaChapter

From My Service In Korea, I Learned... Dr. USA SFC (Ret) William Sawvel & USAF Sgt Ronald Sawvel Walking down the dark hallway towards the TA50 storage room, I felt like I was in an episode of The Twilight Zone as a homogenously bouncing glow peeked out from under the door crack of every other soldier’s room. From the nearly synchronous noise of reporter dialogue, I realized we were all watching the same thing – two commercial jets had just crashed into the World Trade Center buildings within twenty minutes of each other. In South Korea, it was 11 pm on September 11th, 2001, and half of our soldiers were still enjoying the night out in town while the other half of us stayed in. The purpose for gathering my equipment while I had no idea what would happen next. I knew it wasn’t good when the first aircraft hit, I briefly wondered, “Now, what idiot was flying that plane?” It was as I watched the second plane collide on live television that I instantaneously knew… we were going to war. Read more - https://wp.me/pbefWB-725 #kdva #iservedinkorea

What did you learn from serving in Korea? Let us know – Sharing your experiences from serving in Korea can be a powerful way to connect with others who have had similar experiences. By sharing your story, you may be able to help others who are currently serving in Korea or who are preparing to do so. You can share insights about the culture, the people, and the challenges you faced while serving. Your story can also help to shed light on the sacrifices that service members and their families make in order to protect our freedoms. So, if you have a story to share, we encourage you to take the time to put it down in writing and send it to [email protected] along with any photos that help to tell your story. Your contribution may be just what someone needs to hear in order to feel connected and supported. Read Our Members' Stories - https://lnkd.in/e_Nm9eed

KDVA’s Columbia University Campus Club had its first gathering of the year with over 80 attendees! The event consisted of a piano recital featuring pianists from the Schwab School of Music and Chonnam National University, South Korea. Overall, the gathering was a resounding success, setting a promising tone for future KDVA Campus Club activities at Columbia University. Participants left with a deeper appreciation for the cultural exchange and the enduring friendship between the two nations. Did you know that anyone can start a KDVA Campus Club at any American or Korean college/university? KDVA will cover the cost of ALL activities. If interested, please connect with Ms. Ambrie Jones (KCC Coordinator) [email protected], register the KDVA Campus Club with your institution, and plan and run your activities about Korea, the ROK-U.S. Alliance, and Veterans. It’s that simple! Here is information about the KDVA Campus Clubs: https://kdva.vet/campus/. #kdva #kdvacampusclubs

KDVA's ROK-U.S. Alliance Journal articles are due by February 19, 2025. The digital journal features stories and articles by KDVA members and supporters of the ROK-U.S. Alliance. It allows our members and supporters a way to voice their expertise and opinions that add to discussions about the Alliance. The journal will go to our members, our partner organizations, potential sponsors, Alliance experts in the ROK and U.S. governments, and U.S. and ROK think tanks. Please send any questions or articles to [email protected] by February 19. If your articles are selected for publication, we will contact you for further steps. Learn more - https://wp.me/pbefWB-719

KDVA Hawaii Chapter hosted a Meet and Greet last Tuesday. The event was a delightful gathering that brought together members from various sectors, offering a wonderful opportunity for networking and camaraderie. Attendees enjoyed a vibrant atmosphere with Hawaiian music, local cuisine, and engaging conversations. One of the highlights of the event was the attendance of General (Ret.) Curtis Scaparrotti, Chairman and President of KDVA and former Commander, U.S. Forces Korea, CFC, and UNC. If you are interested in joining a KDVA Chapter, please visit www.kdva.vet. #kdva

This week, KDVA Florida Chapter hosted their first Meet & Greet of 2025. The event attracted over 40 participants including 30 US veterans, 1 ROK veteran, and 2 Korean War veterans.?Kenneth Cho, Executive Advisor for the Federation of Korean Associations of Florida and Dr. Henry Moreland, Commander of KWVA Chapter 200 in Jacksonville, were also in attendance. LTG (R) Michael Bills, former 8th Army Commanding General and member of the KDVA Board of Directors, provided welcome remarks to the attendees.? Hosted at Veterans United Craft Brewery, guests enjoyed a selection of their military inspired beers and delicious food catered by Mission BBQ. If you are interested in participating in future chapter events or if you would like to become a member of KDVA, please visit our website at KDVA.vet.

The Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) and the Welcome Wagon of Korea (WWoK) are excited to announce their partnership that will benefit U.S. Service Members serving in Korea and support our efforts to further enhance the ROK-US Alliance. The mission of the WWoK is dedicated to creating a positive first impression for Service Members and their dependents upon their arrival in the Republic of Korea. They accomplish their mission by ensuring that each group of arriving Service Members and their families are greeted with essential information, snacks, and a warm welcome. KDVA’s mission is to enhance the ROK-U.S. Alliance by advocating for the Alliance and supporting those who built and serve it. Over 3.3 million American men and women have served in Korea since the Armistice was signed in 1953. With over 36,000 members and 106,000 social media followers (and growing each day), KDVA continues to be the premiere organization with the primary goal to support the Alliance and our Veterans. General (Ret.) Curtis Scaparrotti, KDVA Chairman and President said, “We are honored to partner with the Welcome Wagon of Korea and to support the great work they do for our Service Members joining U.S. Forces Korea (USFK). We are very thankful for the Welcome Wagon’s passion and dedication to ensure that U.S. Service Members and their Families get a warm welcome from their USFK community. This is a noble mission, and KDVA is very proud to make a monthly donation to be WWoK’s main sponsor.” Mrs. Kelly Karwel, WWoK President, said: "We are grateful for our partnership with KDVA and their generous support in helping us fulfill our mission to welcome U.S. Service Members and their families to Korea. As an organization dedicated to enhancing the ROK-US Alliance and advocating for those who have served, KDVA’s commitment to supporting our military community is inspiring. Through our partnership, we will continue to make each newcomer’s arrival a positive and memorable experience as we serve our Service Members, Veterans, and families." The United States has 28,500 Service Members stationed in the Republic of Korea and each one of them plays a vital role in ensuring security and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the region. Working together, KDVA and WWoK will provide an important welcome upon their arrival and promote a desire to embrace their new duty station. For more information about KDVA programs and how you can join the Korea Defense Veterans Association, please visit www.KDVA.vet, and if you would like to volunteer or support the WWoK, please email [email protected].