Age rather than war depletes their numbers these days, as those who once served their country in the Korean conflict reach out with the hope of finding new members even in the ranks of those who served in Korea even after the war ended.
Historians claim the Korean War began in June of 1950 and lasted through July of 1953. It is often called “The Forgotten War,” partly because it came so soon after the conclusion of World War II, when many Americans tried to put the memory of war behind them, and partly because it became overshadowed by the politics that surrounded the conflict in Vietnam in the 1960s.
But those who served in the conflict recall it as the most horrible and unforgettable experience of their lives – and many who returned from it formed the Korean War Veterans Association with the goal of making sure that those who served are not forgotten again.
But the years have depleted their numbers. Now, the Hudson County Korean War Veterans are seeking to expand their membership to include veterans who served in Korea in other eras.
Nearly 6 million strong
About 5.7 million Americans served during the Korean War, and fewer than four million still survived as of 2001 with numbers dwindling rapidly.
“Once again, we’re looking for a few good people to bolster the ranks of the Korean War Veterans of Hudson County.” – Hank Topoleski
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For the Hudson County Korean War Veterans Association, this means that fewer people are alive to remind contemporary Americans about the sacrifices made in “The Forgotten War.”
“Once again, we’re looking for a few good people to bolster the ranks of the Korean War Veterans of Hudson County,” said Hank Topoleski, a resident of Bayonne and a member of the Korean War Veterans Association, who has been trying to recruit new members. “We feel that the recruitment of new members into our organization is of prime importance.”
Over the last few years, the association has ceased many of its public events, such as daisy sale fund-raising, because of lack of membership or the frailness of age.
The group started to expand its roster several years ago, hoping that many veterans from the Korean War era and later years would bolster the group’s ranks, allowing older members to fade away with the satisfaction that younger members would continue many of the traditions begun by the war-era vets.
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.
To join
Although declining in numbers, the group has members throughout Hudson County, from the northern tip of North Bergen to the southerly most tip of Bayonne.
Requirements to join the group are as follows: 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 P.O. 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 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact Topoleski at (201) 432-8340.