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Dover AFB

Dan Coons, left, the state commander of the Korean War Veterans' Association, shakes hands with Airman 1st Class Marcus Lopez, 436th Aerial Port Squadron, Feb. 25, 2012, at the Dover Air Force Base, Del., Air Mobility Command Museum. Team Dover members met with Korean War veterans during the 13th Annual Korean War Remembrance Ruck March to honor troops who served in the “Forgotten War.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor)

Dover AFB

The Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Flag is raised by a ruck marcher Feb. 25, 2012, at the Dover Air Force Base, Del., Air Mobility Command Museum. Team Dover members met with Korean War veterans during the 13th Annual Korean War Remembrance Ruck March to honor troops who served in the “Forgotten War.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor)

Dover AFB

Ruck marchers begin the 6.2-mile course Feb. 25, 2012, at the Dover Air Force Base, Del., Air Mobility Command Museum. Team Dover members met with Korean War veterans during the 13th Annual Korean War Remembrance Ruck March to honor troops who served in the “Forgotten War.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor)

Dover AFB

Airman 1st Class Marcus Lopez, left, Master Sgt. Paul Schuster and Airman 1st Class Dustin Carlton, all members of the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, race toward the finish line Feb. 25, 2012, at the Dover Air Force Base, Del., Air Mobility Command Museum. Team Dover members met with Korean War veterans during the 13th Annual Korean War Remembrance Ruck March to honor troops who served in the “Forgotten War.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor)

Dover AFB

Melissa Fike, 436th Airlift Wing Chapel, runs during the 13th Annual Korean War Remembrance Ruck March Feb. 25, 2012, at the Dover Air Force Base, Del., Air Mobility Command Museum. Team Dover members met with Korean War veterans during the 13th Annual Korean War Remembrance Ruck March to honor troops who served in the “Forgotten War.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor)

13th Annual Ruck March honors Korean War vets

Published Feb. 28, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Samuel Taylor
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Approximately 200 service members and civilians met at the Dover Air Force Base, Del., Air Mobility Command Museum Feb. 25, 2012, to partake in the 13th Annual Korean War Remembrance Ruck March, hosted by the 436th Security Forces Squadron.

The marchers strapped on 30-pound ruck sacks and embarked on the 6.2 course that wrapped around the base's perimeter and through its main thoroughfare; their goal - to pay tribute to a generation of service members who laid their lives on the line during what many refer to as the "forgotten war."

"Many people refer to the Korean War as the 'Forgotten War' because it falls between World War II and the Vietnam War, both which receive more media attention," said Staff Sgt. Jessica Scott, a chief coordinator of the ruck march. "Through these marches, we're hoping to change that. We are giving these warriors the attention and gratitude they deserve - we are reminding the public of their sacrifice."

The ruck marches specifically commemorate the "Chosin Few", troops who fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, which took place Nov. 27 - Dec. 13, 1950. Approximately 20,000 soldiers and Marines comprising Army Lt. Gen. Edward Almond's "X Corps" took on an assaulting force of more than 120,000 Chinese soldiers. The outnumbered American defenders inflicted more than 40,000 casualties while suffering approximately 15,000 of their own. Those who survived the battle were forced to endure harsh winter weather, which resulted in thousands of additional deaths.

The day began with speeches from members of the Korean War Veterans' Association, who conveyed the harshness of their experiences during the war to Team Dover. Beside the podium stood a map of the Korean Peninsula, which outlined the troop movements and key battles that took place during the three-year conflict; many veterans pointed out locations on the map where they had seen combat to curious onlookers.

One such Airman was Senior Airman Ethan Jensen, whose four-man team of Master Sgt. Paul Schuster, air transportation supervisor with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron; and Airman 1st Class Dustin Carlton and Airman 1st Class Marcus Lopez, all air transportation specialists with the 436th APS, placed first for the second consecutive year with a time of 1 hour, 2 minutes, 50 seconds.

"[The Korean War veterans] were [hardcore] dudes; they went through some [serious challenges], and I have to respect them for it," said Jensen.

According to Dan Coons, the state commander of the Korean War Veterans' Association, the feeling is mutual.

"This generation of service members is a throwback to the troops of the Korean War and World War II - tough as nails. I am very proud of them," said Coons.