By Here is another good story of USFK servicemembers and their families helping out in Korea:
Yongsan volunteers wore red rubber gloves, plastic hats and vests as they helped make kimchi for needy Korean families Nov. 17.
Fifteen Army Family Members and Civilian Employees joined hundreds of Korean volunteers to help stuff thousands of cabbages with spicy seasoning at Sudo Girl’s High School, near Camp Coiner.
Garrison volunteers have been actively participating to this annual kimchi-making activity for several years. The Yongsan District of Seoul will provide the final products to elderly and needy families.
“We can’t imagine Korean cuisine without kimchi,” said Han Gi-su, a liaison officer between U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan and the Yongsan District. “This activity grows even stronger because of these volunteers, and we truly appreciate their help.”
Kimchi is made by stuffing cabbage with seasonings made of red pepper, garlic, radish and other various vegetables. Volunteers from local companies and organizations, Republic of Korea Army Soldiers and veterans worked together as a team to make the kimchi.
“What a wonderful way to share cultural experience,” said Tracey Briggs, one of the American volunteers. Three generations of her family, her mother, herself and her daughter, participated in the event. “It was just an overwhelming sense of camaraderie. Koreans were so welcoming and warm, and it was a time to treasure.”
“They were very enthusiastic and bright,” said Lee Kyung-ah, a Korean volunteer who taught how to make Kimchi. “I am from Yongsan Women’s Reserve Army and it is so great to see U.S. Army Families come together and help needy families.” [USFK Website]
11:55 pm on November 26th, 2008 1
“They were very enthusiastic and bright,” said Lee Kyung-ah, a Korean volunteer who taught how to make Kimchi. “I am from Yongsan Women’s Reserve Army and it is so great to see U.S. Army Families come together and help needy families.”
I'm sure that you'll find Lee Kyung-ah and her husband at the Seongnam golf course this weekend. That's what the Korea-American Friendship Association (KAFA) and the Korean-American Partnership Association (KAPA) are for. Rich, elderly Koreans invite USFK servicemembers to free dinners, tours, and cultural events. In exchange, USFK sponsors their access to military facilities. It's bogus. It's shameful.
I have to jump through hoops to get my Korean in-laws on post to visit my wife in our quarters. Meanwhile, the golf club parking lot is packed full of Equus, Chairmen, and Mercedes by 0630.
12:39 am on November 27th, 2008 2
Also a fantastic idea because nothing fills a hungry belly and offers nourishment like f**king cabbage.
12:42 am on November 27th, 2008 3
(Just for the record, I'm not knocking the GI's and their families for donating their time and energy–I'm just saying that importance of kimchi over more substantial foods in the diets of the needy and elderly is waaaay off kilter)
1:49 am on November 27th, 2008 4
Maybe you don't know much about Korea. Kimchi and its brethren constitute 40% of the Korean diet. Rice (40%), seaweed (10%), and dead Chinese babies (10%) fill out the remainder.
8:47 am on November 27th, 2008 5
It never ceases to amaze me the level of bitterness and hatred over something this harmless…
9:58 am on November 27th, 2008 6
"It never ceases to amaze me the level of bitterness and hatred over something this harmless…"
Bitterness is usually the inevitable by-product when the bottom feeders of a certain society can't have their own way with another society at large.
3:17 pm on November 27th, 2008 7
Conditioning bright and enthusiastic commoners to sacrifice time and energy to Her Majesty's service is most laudable. The world needs more serf-training. When the training takes over American GI's will jump off buildings to their deaths on Her Majesty's whim.
Volunteerism makes happy slaves.
3:33 pm on November 27th, 2008 8
It's partly sunny in South Korea.
What do you think about what I just wrote? How's that going to be turned into another bitching and whining session, I wonder
But you can do it.
5:22 pm on November 27th, 2008 9
DELETED (Sock Puppet)
8:54 pm on November 27th, 2008 10
DELETED (Sock Puppet)