Korean War veteran Pat Finn and his family traveled to Washington, D.C. for a special commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice. Pat and his family took part in several special ceremonies, including the “Heroes Remembered” at the Korean War Memorial at which numerous dignitaries, including President Barack Obama spoke, thanking the Korean War veterans for their service to our nation.
When Pat Finn of Grand Marais and Minneapolis received a nondescript letter with the return address reading Department of Defense, he almost tossed it, thinking it was junk mail. Fortunately, he opened the letter and found that it really was from the Department of Defense, inviting him to attend a special celebration of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice. Finn, who was a participant in the third largest battle in America’s history—the Chosin Reservoir Campaign in Korea—decided to make the trip to Washington, D.C. for the “Heroes Remembered” event on July 27, 2013 at the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
Back in Grand Marais, he told the Cook County News-Herald he was very glad he hadn’t tossed the invitation. Finn said the event was very moving— and it was much more than one ceremony. Honoring of Korean War veterans began on July 24 at a Twilight Tattoo at Whipple Field at Joint Base Henderson Hall, Virginia, overlooking the Potomac River. The Twilight Tattoo is a long-standing ceremonial program, an hour-long military pageant featuring soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and the U.S. Army Band, as well as The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and the U.S. Army Drill Team.
Pat Finn (left) and his wife Arlene attended a dinner at the National Press Club, hosted by the Descendants of Korean War Foundation. They were moved by the VIP treatment they received. Pat and Arlene are pictured here with Ahn Ho-Young, the South Korean ambassador to the United States.
“I had never heard of the Twilight Tattoo,” said Finn. “It was one of the most moving events I have ever seen.”
On Thursday, July 25, Korean veterans were invited to the U.S. Marine Corps Barracks for an evening parade featuring the U.S. Marine Band—the “President’s Own,” along with the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. Finn said the rifle drill was very impressive. “It was completely silent. There is no one giving commands and they have fixed bayonets. Just amazing,” said Finn.
The event continued at the Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Virginia, on Friday, July 26 with the dedication of an exhibit for Staff Sergeant Reckless, a noble horse that served the Marine Corps in battle, hauling ammunition up hills. The beloved Marine horse was the recipient of two Purple Hearts. It was another moving ceremony with the presentation of the Marine Colors by the Marine Corps Color Guard.
On Friday evening, veterans were feted at the National Press Club, dining with U.S. and Korean government dignitaries. The dinner was hosted by the Descendants of Korean War Foundation. Veterans of each branch of the service were asked to stand while the service song was played. Finn said he was the only Marine at the gathering. “I still don’t know why I was picked to be invited,” he said.
There was a poignant reminder of those who were not there—at the head table there was an empty place setting in memory of those who did not come home from the Korean War. Veterans were presented with the book Korean Reborn: A Grateful Nation—a book that includes a chapter titled A Brutal Winter which details the horrific battle that Finn was involved in when he was just a 19-year-old rifleman.
Finn shared his story with the Cook County News- Herald in the June 2, 2012 issue, touching this reporter and News-Herald readers with the story of survival of the “Frozen Chosin.” The weather, at 30 degrees below zero, was as much a challenge for the American troops as the attacking Chinese. Sheer numbers of the enemy overwhelmed the Americans. Finn was wounded when he was “blown out” of a foxhole, suffering serious injuries to his back. To recuperate, he was given the choice of where to recover—Guam, the Philippines or Hawaii. Finn picked Hawaii because it was as close as possible to the United States.
As he recovered, Finn followed his father’s advice. He wrote what he remembered of the Chosin battle. Of the last days of the struggle, he wrote, “Days and nights just came and went. We were all filthy and dirty and cold to the bone. Just walk and walk, then stop and wait to clear a roadblock or wipe out a sniper’s nest. The vehicles were so loaded with wounded and dead you couldn’t even sit down. I never thought a person could go on without sleep or proper food for so long. You can win just about any contest I guess when the prize is your life. That’s about what it amounted to, a contest, the human being against the enemy and nature.”
Because he survived, Finn was able to take his place among his fellow Korean War veterans at the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Commemoration at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. There was more pomp and circumstance and dignitaries spoke— Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin E. Dempsey, and finally, President Barack Obama— all thanking those who valiantly served.
With about 500 people at the commemoration, Finn didn’t get a chance to speak to the president, but he could see and hear him well from his seat about seven rows back from the stage.
Finn said the anniversary events were meaningful from start to finish. He was glad his wife Arlene and his daughter Jessica and her partner Horacio were able to join him on the trip. “I didn’t talk about any of this for 50 years. I’m getting some closure. It’s good to put it out there on the wind, if you will.”
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