Here is a good story about a retired Sergeant Major who has been volunteering his time in Korea to bring cheer to children and other people across Korea:

One retired U.S. soldier has become the face of friendly community relations to honor his Korean-American daughter’s legacy of building bridges between unlikely sides.

Christopher Vaia, better known by community children as “Balloon Ajeossi,” is spending his retirement years by serving up smiles, lending a friendly ear and making balloon animals for the local community.

A retired Army sergeant major, Vaia has been reaching out to those in nursing homes, orphanages, veteran’s hospitals and other social welfare homes.

Recognized by the Korean social welfare community, the 65-year-old was one of the first to be recognized by newly elected Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon as an honorary citizen of the capital.

But Vaia’s journey of spreading joy came from an unfortunate start: The death of his 13-year-old daughter, Jeni, in 1991.

Jeni died in 1991 of an asthma attack, which would have left most fathers in despair, but Vaia was motivated by it, along Jeni’s ability to bring communities together.

“Everything is based upon my desire to honor my daughter,” said Vaia.

“We came up with a little idea of a bridge and that’s how it all got started, to bridge the young and old, Japanese and Koreans.”

Vaia brought the very same idea to the county that he now calls home and brings together Koreans and fellow U.S. citizens to spread a little laughter, Patch Adams-style.

One way Vaia achieves this is through an organization called Bridgebuilders 46, which attempts to “bridge” U.S. and Korean communities together ― something especially needed now, as tensions are high after crimes committed by U.S. soldiers.

The organization teaches Korean and U.S. volunteers to create balloon animals, a skill that Vaia taught himself and finds a useful way of spreading joy, and together they visit various welfare centers over the weekend.

Vaia also partners with numerous organizations, including the Korean American Youth Alliance, the Korean Association of Retired People, and the Association of Korea-U.S.A. Friendship Alliance.

With these organizations, Vaia does anything and everything from teaching conversational English, tending graves of U.S. soldiers, listening to stories and just being a friend to those in their last hours. [Korea Herald]

You can read more at the link.