Pacific Stars and Stripes,
Nov. 29, 1951
Fort McPherson, GA.- A check
for more than $10,000 for the relief of Korean War orphans was on its
way to Tokyo last week as the result of a special Thanksgiving offering
contributed by WACs and soldiers in the Third Army area and by members
of their families.
The check was presented to Lt. Gen. John R. Hodge,
commanding general, Third Army, by Col. Silas N. Decker, Third Army
chaplain, who conceived and promoted the idea. General Hodge, in turn,
forwarded the check to General Matthew Ridgway's United Nations Command
in Tokyo with the request that it be used for the purchase of food and
clothing for unfortunate Korean youngsters.
Present for the ceremony at which the check was
turned over to General Hodge were three South Korean officers who are
in this country to attend the U.S. Army's Infantry School at Ft. Benning,
Ga. Representing a group of approximately 165 South Korean officers
now at the school were Lt. Kwon Soon Wun, Lt. Han Gee, and Lt. Kim Dong
Sung. All three came to the U.S. last September, two of them fresh from
the battlefront.
When told of the extent of the offering, Lieutenant
Kwon, who acted as spokesman for the group, exclaimed: "Ah. It is wonderful.
Much good will be accomplished, for the need is very great."
The offering, which netted approximately $10,000,
was taken at post chapels throughout the Third Army area, which covers
seven southeastern states.
According to the program set up by Chaplain Decker,
the Third Army fund will be placed under supervision of the chief United
Nations Command Chaplain in Tokyo, who will be authorized to supervise
purchases of food and clothing for the Korean youngsters.
PSS-029
