Pacific Stars and Stripes, Date Unknown
S&S Korea Bureau
Seoul-The Orphan's Home of
Korea, founded for homeless waifs by an Air Force colonel, celebrated
its 10th anniversary Saturday with a day-long festival and dedication
of a new building at the home. However, Col. Dean E. Hess, the "Flying
Parson" who founded the home in 1950, was unable to carry through
his original plans to attend. He is director of the U.S. Air Force
Information Branch in Los Angeles.
Hess, besides founding the home, was instrumental
in obtaining 16 transport planes for Operation Kiddycar, an airlift
that carried almost 1,000 abandoned children to Cheju Island 10 years
ago.
Republic of Korea President Posun Yun led a contingent
of Korean and American guests to the home for the formal afternoon
ceremonies.
He was greeted by On Soon Hwang, director of the
home, who briefly thanked various sponsors for "developing and building
better citizens" in the nation.
The day was highlighted by the dedication of 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 (AFAK) program. Children from
the orphanage performed traditional dances in the auditorium and a
clothing bazaar offered gift items made at the home.
Hess, although he couldn't attend, was presented
a letter of appreciation that was accepted by Capt. Lew Raines, his
friend. Raines is chief of information at Osan AB.
Letters also went from the home to William H.
Henry Jr., director of the Korean Office of the Christian Children's
Fund; Dr. J. Calvitt Clarke, the fund's international director; Maj.
Brady J. Vradinburg, AFAK project officer; and Brig. Gen. James B.
Tipton, 314th Air. Div. commander.
Other visitors at the ceremony included ROK Minister
of Health and Social Affairs Yong Kyoon Nah; Vice Speaker of the House
Yung Yoon Lee; Mrs. Emerson L. Cummings, wife of the Eighth Army deputy
commanding general; and Col. James R. Newman, Eighth Army Civil Affairs
Officer, who presented a plaque to Miss Hwang on behalf of AFAK.
PSS-629
