Pacific Stars and Stripes, November
3, 1953
SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Pac. S&S)-"Color television" has
come to Korea. This country's first "television" show is currently
being staged by Eighth Army troops to raise money for Christmas parties
planned for the children of Seoul under the direction of Headquarters
Commandant Col. Charles A. Rain, Salem, N.J.
Kodachrome slides projected through tracing paper
on the back of a three-quarter-ton truck depict the life of despair
led by the homeless waifs of Seoul in comparison to those more fortunate
children being cared for in orphanages supported by Eighth Army soldiers.
A sound track, which includes a chorus of children
from the Book Han San orphanage singing the "Hallelujah Chorus," explains
the show and thanks the men for their support in the past.
The show was originated by Maj. Vernon E. Davis,
Lexington, Ky., and Capt. Edward Morey, Charlotte, Mich., officers in
Eighth Army Trop Information and Education section, and is narrated
by Capt. George Kennedy, Charlotte, Mich., officer in charge, Eighth
Army Circuit, American Forces Korean Network. It is a pictorial report
to the troops showing the children and orphanages that are in existence
only through their support. The show has been popular wherever shown.
Soldiers gather in large crowds to watch the colored pictures projected
on the 24-inch screen and to make voluntary contributions to the small
Korean girls who pass through the crowd while the final "Hallelujah
Chorus" is being sung by the chorus.
"If the people back home could see these pictures
of Korean orphans and hear them sing as we did, I know they would dig
into their pockets the same as I am doing," Pvt. Joseph A. Knight, Pittsburgh,
Pa., said at the premiere at Eighth Army headquarters in Seoul.
MONEY & TIME GIVEN Soldiers throughout this war-stricken
nation are contributing money and time to make Christmas a happy one
for the children of Korea. They are sending letters home asking for
packages or money to be sent to them or to Christmas Packages for Korea,
APO 301.
High scorer among U.S. division recorded so far
during the Christmas drive is the 45th, which collected $52,476
in two and on-half weeks. Over $2,000 was contributed by the approximately
210 men of E Company, 176th Infantry Regiment. One dollar
will buy shoes for two Korean orphans, three months of school plus a school
bag, or 18 tiles to repair an orphanage roof. Rain told Eighth Army troops
in an appeal not to underestimate what they can do for these unfortunate
children.
SSA-690
