Seoul (UNC/USK/8A)-Col. Dean Hess, founder of the Orphans Home of Korea, arrives here Saturday to help celebrate its 10th anniversary and dedicate a new building at the home.

Hess founded the home while serving as adviser to the fledgling Republic of Korea Air Force in the crucial days of the Korean War.  He has been called "The Father of the ROK Air Force."

Hess, as a guest of honor at the home, will gather with other guests when formal festivities begin at 2 p.m.  Others attending the ceremony will include ROK Minister of Health and Social Affairs Yong Kyoon Nah and Mrs. Emerson L. Cummings, wife of the Eighth U. S. Army deputy commanding general.

A tape-cutting ceremony will follow, dedicating a new combination dining hall and auditorium built with construction funds and material provided by the 45th Inf. Div. in Oklahoma and the Armed Forces Assistance to Korea program.

Hess, now director of the Air Force Information Services branch in Los Angeles, will also hear a concert by the Orphans Home of Korea brass band and watch traditional mask and farmers' dances.

A Korean bazaar will be open throughout the birthday celebration, offering rugs, sweaters, Christmas cards, and other items made by the more than 300 children living at the home.On Soon Hwang, director of the orphanage, plans to award letters of appreciation to several military and civilian officials for their continued support of the home.

Besides Hess, they include: Brig. Gen. James B. Tipton, commander of the 314th Air Div. at Osan AB; Maj. Brady J. Vradinburg, AFAK project officer; William J. Henry, Jr., director of the Korean Office of the Christian Children's Fund and Dr. J. Clavitt Clarke, international director of the Christian Children's Fund.

 

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