E Coosh
Veteran reflects
on the Korean War
By Sid Miller
Spilyay Tymoo Publisher Emeritus
With Veterans Day just past, I want to recognize all
veterans for a job well done, and focus mainly on the
forgotten war - Korea.
It was a time in Hell for all veterans who experienced
war. Today there is no real war. Veterans Day is set aside
to honor all those who were willing to put their lives on
the line, to fight for the freedom we all enjoy today.
War has changed the lives of many veterans and to
day few people have any idea what the vets went through
as they faced the enemy troops in combat. Most of the
time we were outnumbered at least five to one. Yes, it
was a time in Hell and fighting took place in many forms.
The sub-freezing weather in Korea took its toll on
the troops and at times it was unbearable. Many troops
froze to death in the fight to the seaport of Hungnam,
as temperatures dropped down to 40 below. The weather
gets pretty cold in Korea, because it is one of the most
mountainous nations in the world. 1 he
country is not much larger than Minne
sota, but the mountains and weather
proved to be nearly as disastrous as the
thousands and thousands of Chinese
troops.
The battle at Chosin Reservoir was
just the start of the larger conflict that followed. We are
all familiar with the batdes at Pork Chop Hill, Heart
break Ridge, Sniper Ridge, Hamburger Hill, Old Baldy,
and the Punch Bowl, to name a few.
Even so, the Korean War is often referred to as the
forgotten war. The Korean War is not as noted as World
War II and Vietnam, but some of the worst and bloodi
est battles took place in Korea.
Stepping back a litde, on June 25, 1950, the North
Korean Army invaded the Republic of South Korea.
The aggressive North Korean troops came in full force,
pushing southward where the R.O.K. troops were no
match for these highly trained communist forces. A plea
from the Republic of Korea to the U.N. was made and
the United States was the first to commit their assis
tance to the R.O.K, since we already had troops in Ja
pan. Young occupational troops with no batde experience
were the first to be sent to Korea. In no time at all they
admitted that the communist troops were more trained
than anticipated and the Americans were being driven
back right along with the South Koreans.
They made their stand around the city of Pusan, at
the southern tip of Korea. General McArthur ordered
an invasion at Inchon, near Seoul, which cut off the
supply line to the communist troops. The big push started
north back to the 38,h parallel, but they didn't stop there.
The offensive went all the way to the Yahe River at the
northern border. It looked like the troops would be home
for the holidays.
Well, China had another idea and they committed
thousands of troops to fight the U.N. forces, completely
surrounding them at Chosin Reservoir. Hell broke loose
as the Chinese were much more powerful than what was
expected. They outnumbered the American troops and
also used psychological warfare. They would mass and
blow horns, pound on gas drums, yell and make all kinds
of racket before they would come storming over the
hill. This alone would frighten just about anyone, but
the U.S. troops withstood their charge most of the time,
often ending up in hand to hand fighting.
Today veterans reflect back to those dark, horrible
days of combat, when they were sent on patrol and never
knew if they would return alive. Yes, war has changed
the lives of many young veterans. At first it was referred
to as shell-shock, then battle fatigue, and post traumatic
stress. With hospitals overcrowded, many had to take
to the streets, where alcohol took another toll on the
homeless veterans.
People criticize the alcoholic veterans without giving
any thought to what they have gone through in the line
of battle. They should actually be feeling grateful for
what the veteran has sacrificed so we can all live free.
The wars have had their effect and even today some
veterans are jumpy, especially if there is a sharp bang,
or a loud noise.
Some won't even attend July 4 fireworks. So don't be
so critical toward the veterans. Many still have bad
dreams of the past battle fields.
On Veterans Day there were all kinds of special cer
emonies and street parades across the country.
It is hard for veterans as they pay tribute to comrades
who never came home alive, as they paid with their lives
for our country.
Today when I hear the national anthem I get a lump
in my throat as I think of friends who never came home.
So rather than being critical of veterans, offer them a
good handshake and thanks for a job well done.
All veterans have this feeling of losing close friends
in combat. But no matter what a veteran had to go
through in time of war, if anything came up again they
would be more than willing to fight for this country.
Today too much is taken for granted. We should be
proud of our veterans. It was a tough time.
EEWA:
-
Spilyay
Speaks
j
The my it is
Called home
To all my relations:
I, Leroy Bobb, am writing
this letter to thank all of you
people who helped during my
sister's funeral and lengthy illness.
Emerson her driver, God bless
you. You shakers who were
there doing the Lord's work.
Aunt Margaret Charley and fam
ily, Laura Brown, Laura Switzler,
Peggy Williams, George Will
iams, Pat Tullee and brothers
and sister, and Vena and her
mother. Shakers who traveled to
be at the services, thank you.
All of you Full Gospel
people, the cooks, Deb Scott
and daughters, Pat Suppah, Mrs.
Vern Kennedy chairman of the
Grand Ronde people and CeCe
Kneeland thank you for dress
ing her and your prayers and
songs.
Fred Wallulatum and Wow
Mitchell thank you for your sup
port singing washut songs and
praying for us in our time of
need, thank you for the way you
live your lives. All of my cous
ins Janet Tom, Chief Jones,
Eldon Tom, Beverly, Gail
Frank, Leon Tenorio and fam
ily, Lorna Arthur, Matt and Eric.
You elders who came to be with
us. So many people thank you.
She did the Lord's work and
then she was called home.
Thank you Lord and Savior for
calling her to the Shaker faith.
You E.MT.'s helped her many
times and I.H.S. people too. In
Jesus Christ's name I say God
Bless you all. In memory of
Barbara Ann Bobb, October 28,
1946 - October 14, 2003.
LeRoy Bobb
Fishing code
I would like to apologize to
the people of Warm Springs for
violating the tribal fishing code
on the Columbia River by tying
two nets together. That went over
the maximum length limit. As a
traditional tribal fisherman of
the Columbia River, I know how
important tribal fishing rights are
to my people and family. Sin
cerely, Albert Kalama Sr.
ECE Halloween
Early Childhood Education
extends thanks to the following
departments who handed out
candy, generously donated
candy, and enjoyed sharing their
time with our children.
OSU Extension, Minnie,
Arlcne and Rosanna. Fire Man
agement, Irwina. Fire and Safety,
Sparky, the Clown, and The
Blonde. Hot Shots, Jabbar,
Johnny and Smokie the Bear.
Construction, Leslie and
Laurie. Juvenile Coordinator,
Flossie. High Lookee Lodge,
Kathy, Jose, Amy. Composite
Products, Jake and Shawn.
Post Office, Joyce. Commu
nity Health Team, Anita Davis
and Judy Charley. Kah-Nce-Ta
Happy
Happy tint birthday
baby Taya, from Dad.
Happy first birthday
Taya, Nov. 2, from Mom
and Nana.
Happy birthday Auntie
Shirley. Hope yon have a good
day.
Letters to
Resort and Casino, Lena. Tribal
Court, Leona Ike. Community
Health, Montell's Helper.
KWSO, Sue Matters. Com
munity Wellness Center, Sena
and Karla. Spilyay Tymoo, Dave
McMechan. Early Head Start
staff. And all the parents and
family who attended.
From the Early Childhood
Education staff and orga
nizers Lisa Johnson, Becca
McPherson, and Jolene
Soto.
Remembrance
To the people of Warm
Springs, I am so sorry this has
taken so long to write this letter.
When we received the paper
today, it came to me that I
hadn't written to let the people
of Warm Springs know, who
hadn't heard, that we had lost
our beloved Dad or Papa Charlie
Clark September 16 up at Ar
lington. He was trying to do what
he wanted every summer, to go
fishing on the Columbia River,
he loved to be down there, not
knowing it would take his life.
It still doesn't seem real that our
Daddy is gone.
It was rough that day we lost
him. He had a heart attack be
fore our son and grandson got
ashore with him. He spent one
last night at the White Swan
Longhouse before coming up La
Conner. He was buried on the
20,h.
I've sent out remembrance
cards to people down there but
came back for no post office
box number on them. I have a
few left. If anyone would like
to have one sent, send me your
P.O. box number and I'll mail
them to you. Bernice Mitchell,
if you'd send me your home
number there are things I need
to know. I just can't seem to be
able to leave my house and go
anywhere.
My friend Arlene Bruno,
please I need a lot of prayers to
try to go on without him.
Please, everyone forgive me
for taking so long in writing this
for the paper. Anyone wanting
a remembrance card send to me
your P.O. box numbers or ad
dress. He died September 16, was
buried September 20 in La
Conner, Wash.
Edythe Honey Clark and
family, P.O. Box 1222, La
Conner, WA 98257
Mistake
About a year ago, some of
my teenage friends and I broke
into and stole from some elders'
homes.
This is one of the biggest
mistakes I have ever made in
my life. I really to want to apolo
gize to Cy Katchia, Louise
Hcllon and Sanders Heath.
I'm very sorry.
Edward Winishut
birthday
Happy birthday Kendall,
Blake, Edward, Raenclc. Love
Auntie Missy.
Happy birthday baby
Ulysses T. Jefferson. I love
you with all my heart.
And a belated happy birthday
wish to my other big baby
Valdimire Jefferson. Love you
with all my hearth. Mom and
Justin and twins.
To my nephew Ulysses
T. Jefferson, happy 19th
birthday. I hope all your
dreams and goals come
Tbankyou for every thing and
for just beingyou.
ftcob Vrank and family.
Page 4 Spilyay Ty moo
the Editor
Not responsible
I will not be responsible for
any past or present finances of
Sharondee Mitchell as of July
2003 to present
Thank you,
CVP
River barges
To our Columbia River
Treaty Tribes: Neigth yow wee
(Umatillas), Nee me poos (Nez
Perce), Yakima's and Warm
Springs. Eee took tee wig wa
(Good Day in Wasco).
I think it is time to be more
assertive as to our inherent
rights to utilize our Columbia
River and Pacific Ocean as a
means to meet the needs of all
our treaty tribes peoples of the
Columbia River.
Barges... we must establish
our rights to commerce, trade
on our rivers. Our ancestors,
elders traded up and down the
Columbia River. Our elders also
traded north, west, east, south
on our Pacific Ocean to meet
the needs of our Columbia
River tribal people all through
the greater Northwest. It is time
to re-establish our inherent god
given rights as indigenous Indian
peoples to utilize our rights to
commerce, trade on our Colum
bia River by building big canoes,
barges to use to meet the needs
of our Indian peoples for gen
erations to come, be more as
sertive. Jobs, jobs, jobs, our people
need jobs. Barges would create
thousands of jobs up and down
our Columbia River for all our
Columbia River Treaty Tribes
Indians and other Indians and
non-Indians. It is time to build
barges or be forever land locked
like all our other Indian broth
ers across our nation. Think.
We must act now before our
river gets too crowded.
Bobby Eagleheart
Thank you
Thanks to all who helped, my
heart goes out to all.
To the people who followed
Jasper to St. Charles, Sena and
Mernie Polk, Ladonna and
Marcie Picard, Ray and Naomi
Caldera, Archie and Ann
Caldera, Ben and Shawn and
Baby Joe Hintsala, Maxine, Lori,
Val, Wendell, Margaret Switzler.
Your support is well appreci
ated. To Harriet Schuster, Sarah
Mitchell for staying and support
ing me during my hard time.
Thank you for not leaving my
side from day one till I brought
Jasper home.
Letters to
Please write to the Spilyay
at P.O. Box 870, Warm
Springs, 97761, or drop by the
office. Or send your letters by
e-mial to this address:
wishes.
true. From Auntie Marena,
Uncle Ken, cousins Ed
ward, Raenele, Waylon,
Blake, Kendra and Kendall.
To our handsome son
Kendall Darious Florez, happy
fifth birthday. We love you very
much. From Mom, Dad, Ed
ward, Raenele, Waylon, Blake
and Kendra.
To Edward, Blake
Raenele, Happy belated
birthdays. I love you all
very much. From Mom and
Dad, Waylon, Kendra and
Kendall.
To Valdimire Jefferson,
happy birthday nephew, keep
making good choices. Love you
lots, from the Weasels, Florex
family.
November 15, 2005
Your arms, shoulders, hearts,
and vour patience helped me so
much. I love you both so very
much.
To Don and Lola Sohappy,
Kim Wheeler, Antae
Lumpmouth, Norma
Tainewasher, Pastor Rick,
Corina, Josh, JoAndy Sohappy,
Val and Maxine Switzler,
Deannie Johnson, Alvin and
Mona Schuster family, Daisy
and Leona Ike, Bernice
Mitchell, Beulah Calica, Leota
Saunders, Eraina Palmer, Linda
Langley, Rose Mitchell family,
Abe Schuster Family, Victor
VanPelt "Switzler," Eva Heath
family, Batman and Erwina and
family. For praying for my son.
And to anyone else I may have
forgotten.
To Gwen Leonard, Shawna
Queahpama, VIC program, Aus
tin Greene, Vocational Rehabili
tation and Social Services pro
grams, Willie Fuentes, Rhonda
in Human Services with the
Yakama Nation Tribes.
To all my friends and family
who helped with food and
money donations. You all made
it possible for me to stay by my
son's side, during his struggle for
his life. You all were a huge help.
To my son Jasper E. Switzler,
you are my world, heart, my life,
my hopes and dreams. I'm very
proud to have you as my son. I
thank God everyday for giving
you back to me, to us. These
three words I want you to re
member, I love you.
This goes out to the commu
nity, the donations you have
dropped off to various loca
tions, to help me out for food,
gas, lodging.
None of my family received .
any of this funding, nor did we
give anyone permission to pick
up the money donation jars. To
this person who picked up the
jars, you should be ashamed of
yourself, this was not for your
habit, you not only played on my
son's life but you also played on
the hearts of the many people
who thought they were helping
me out. Thanks to all your help
ing hands, hearts.
Alison Mitchell-Schuster
Apologizing
I'm writing this letter to the
community to apologize for
driving while I was under the
influence of intoxication. Cause
I could of hurt someone while
I was on the road. But I will try
not to do it again. But I'm
thankful for not hurting anyone.
Jamie T.
More letters on page 5
the editor
spilyaytymoo(wstnDcs.org.
For space reasons, letters
should be no longer than 350
words in length.
Thank you for writing.
To Lillian Blackwolf,
happy birthday. Love you
much, from the Weasels,
Florez family.
Happy birthday Mister
T (Jason Tohet), and con
gratulations on the littlest
T.
Hope you have a good
one.
Love a I ways, Jacob
Vrank and clan.
A
Happy
birthday
Taya and
Joseph,
Nov. 2.