Even before members of the Hudson County Korean War Veterans Association met in Bayonne last month, they knew their numbers were dwindling.
Most Korean War veterans are over 70 years old, and the post in Hudson County has lost many of their members to illness or death. They are often referred to as veterans of the “Forgotten War” because the Korean conflict came between the glory years of the War World II and the controversial years of the Vietnam War. .
Now the Korean veterans are opening their membership to any veteran who has served in Korea no matter what year, in order to keep that conflict and its heroic moments from being forgotten again. .
Ralph “Lucky” Pasqua, president of the Korean War Veterans Association and proprietor of RnBz Restaurant where the group frequently meets, said the association has ceased many of its public events, such as the daisy sale fund-raising, because of lack of membership or the frailness of age. .
“You’ve heard the expression that ‘old soldiers never die,’ ” said Henry “Hank” Topoleski, dispelling the old myth to bolster the association’s number. “We would like to know where the missing, still-living veterans are in Hudson County who never joined our organization in 55 years.” Topoleski said the veterans’ association is very concerned about getting more members. .
“We have exciting plans for our Hudson County Korean War veterans for many future events and need increased membership and participation to succeed,” he said. .
Veterans’ benefits.
With many changes being proposed, such as the curtailing of veterans’ health benefits, the closing of veterans’ hospitals, and cutting the veterans’ line item in the federal budget, Topoleski said the association is needed more than ever. .
In joining the Korean War Veterans of Hudson County, veterans would associate with a good group of concerned vets. .
“You will be happy to have joined,” he said. “We consider our Korean vets’ organization to be one of the best in the state.” .
Pasqua said membership is open to anyone in Hudson County, and that existing members come from every community in the county. .
“We have members from the tip of North Bergen to tip of Bayonne,” he said. .
Requirements: You must have served in any branch of United States military during 1950 to 1955 or served in Korea from 1950 to the present. You must bring a copy of your DD214 discharge paper and a $10 membership fee. You may mail a copy of the discharge paper and a check made out to “Hudson County Korean War Veterans” at Box 841, Bayonne, NJ 07002. .
Meetings are held the last Tuesday of every month at the Catholic War Veterans Post at Del Monte Drive and 23rd Street in Bayonne at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Topoleski at (201) 432-8340. .