Tae Houn (Thomas) Kim
The following is from Intergenerational Integrities 2021 Anthology. Intergenerational Integrities involves 18 like-minded, passionate secondary students of British Columbia and Alberta who share a common love for writing, history and learning. Their purpose is to connect youth and seniors, especially during the Covid-19 global pandemic, where many have been physically and socially isolated. For this initiative, each student has been paired with a veteran of the Korean War.
Tae Houn (Thomas) Kim is a Korean War veteran who was born on December 25th, 1932. He was 19 years old when he fought for his mother country during the Korean War. During the War, he volunteered for the Army Military Police and served in the Chief of Staff’s Office at the Army Headquarters as a Military Police Sergeant. He served in the Ordnance Corps from the 7th Division at Keumhwa Camp and trained 8 months with the US Army Ordnance School in Baltimore, Maryland. Later he served as an instructor at the Army Ordnance School located in Dongnae, Busan and worked as a researcher in the chemistry department of the Ministry of Defense’s Science Research Institute. After the War, he went back to complete his graduate degree in chemistry at Koryu University. He then worked for Shinhan Science Corporation. He immigrated to Canada in July 1967 and retired after working for 20 years as a researcher at IPSCO Steel Company in Port Moody, BC.
Kai Ramsay is a grade 12 student from British Columbia. She enjoys working with others and loves to speak openly with those in the community. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing stories and playing soccer. She enjoyed taking part in the Intergenerational Integrities project and is thankful for the beautiful connections she has made and the stories she learned about the Korean War.
Not By His Own Accord
Kai Ramsay
It was more out of vindication than choice.
He had a choice whether to go or not to go.
To leave his study and stay in the US without ever getting his revenge.
To avenge his brother’s death or live a life abroad.
He chose war.
He had left Korea to study in the United States.
Learn how to instruct others.
Teach others about the army.
To travel across the vast country.
His stop was Boston, Massachusetts.
In the chemistry department of a university he stayed.
Working to input quality control within a steel company.
Army school was not for the weak,
It beat and bruised him in more ways than one.
Studying can only go so far.
But the war sent him home.
Though Korea would not be his final place to stay.
As the war tore through the hearts of many,
It did not leave our soldier untouched.
Over 500,000 Korean lives were lost.
Of the lives lost, his brother was one of them.
He survived to face another day.
To move again, this time to Canada.
Where he raised a family.
Married a woman he loves.
Only to lose her while they’re young.
In turn, she leaves behind their young.
But his children help him through.
As he grows older, they visit and show him love.
He loves them, for they are his only kin.
It is believed that war should bring peace
To the nations in disagreement.
But our soldier knows very well
That each country has its own conflicts.
A fight only to bring more unrest.
Now he plays golf, goes swimming, likes to be active.
He has a life for himself; a routine.
Mountain climbing, going to church.
Living alone isn’t lonely, so long as he keeps busy.
Life isn’t easy but it’s better.
Our soldier will always remember.
Remember what he sacrificed; what his family sacrificed.
War changes people, it changes nations.
For he went with a purpose
But not by his own accord.
It was more out of vindication than choice.
He had a choice whether to go or not to go.
To leave his study and stay in the US without ever getting his revenge.
To avenge his brother’s death or live a life abroad.
He chose war.