Honored for service: Three Holland-area Korean War vets honored with peace medal

HOLLAND — Members of Willard G. Leenhouts American Legion Post 6 convened recently for an evening of remembrance and recognition as three local Korean War veterans were officially presented with the Republic of Korea Ambassador for Peace Medal.

The Oct. 19 ceremony opened with traditional American Legion protocol, including the Pledge of Allegiance, an opening prayer and the POW-MIA empty chair ceremony honoring service members missing in action.

Members also observed the undraping of the post charter in memory of departed Vietnam War veterans before reciting the Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion.

"Oh God, we gather as comrades of Post 6 and thank you for the privilege of making the service of God and country our work this evening," Chaplain Don Binkley prayed during the opening invocation. "Especially, we give thanks for our three Korean War veterans who tonight receive the Republic of Korea Ambassador for Peace Medal. Bless them for their courage and sacrifice that helps secure freedom and peace."

Following formal opening proceedings, post leadership read the official proclamation on behalf of the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

"It is a great honor and pleasure to express the everlasting gratitude of the Republic of Korea and our people for the service you and your countrymen have performed in restoring and preserving our freedom and democracy," the proclamation stated. "In grateful recognition of your dedicated contributions, it is our privilege to proclaim you as an Ambassador for Peace with every good wish of the people of the Republic of Korea."

The three honorees presented with the prestigious decoration were U.S. Army veterans Roger Brinks, 97; James Soper, 94; and Carl Dennis, 93.

Brinks, who spent a year stationed in Korea, expressed deep appreciation for receiving the honor 74 years after his service.

"It's pretty great; it really is," Brinks said. "Having a lot of friends here tonight makes it better yet."

Asked about the decades that have passed since his military service, Brinks added: "It would be nice if everybody who was there received the honor, but I'm really glad that you did."

Soper, who served over a year in an artillery unit driving military transport vehicles, was moved by the presentation.

"I was in the artillery and [was a] driver," Soper said. "I drove everything the military had."

When asked how it felt to hold the medal, he added: "It sends shivers down my back. I'm so happy to be here."

Dennis, who served two years across hospital units and as a Korean Military Advisory Group advisor, reflected on his varied roles during the conflict.

When asked about his specific position in the Army, Dennis joked: "A flunky."

He elaborated on his service across Korea: "It depends on where I was. One time, I was with the prisoners of war, and then we come down and set up a new outfit. When we turned that over to the Korean government, then I became a KMAG advisor with them. ... I was company clerk at one time."

Reflecting modestly on his wartime contribution, Dennis noted: "Yeah, but I really, really wasn't much to say about over there."

During the ceremony, Dennis' wife addressed the organizers on behalf of the families in attendance.

"Thank you on behalf of the American Legion Post 6 and the Korean Peace Medal award winners," she said. "We thank you for doing this for us."

— Sarah Leach is the executive editor of the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at sleach@ottawanewsnetwork.org. Follow her on Twitter @ONNLeach.