Because we do not honor our heros, we are now governed by the sub-human criminals, tyrants and psychopaths of the Obama Regime. A direct cause-effect relationship, in my opinion.
Posted on 10/17/2010 6:48:55 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
During the Chosin Reservoir battle of the Korean War, Stanley Kot hadn't expected to open up a parachute meant for supplies to find lots and lots of ... Tootsie Rolls.
The veteran was one of thousands in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in North Korea, which took place at the end of November and beginning of December in 1950.
"We could only be supplied by parachute drops," Kot said.
"We were calling for ammunition and other supplies and they heard some of us shouting in the background, ‘send us more Tootsie Rolls.' "
Kot explained that at that time "Tootsie Rolls" meant mortar shells.
"So when they did the parachute drop, we were like, ‘What the hell is this?' " he said with a laugh. "But I survived for two weeks on Tootsie Rolls."
From that moment on, they all called themselves the "Tootsie Roll Marines," he said.
Kot and his wife, Nancy, were two of 26 members of the Chosin Reservoir Veterans who attended a lunch Saturday afternoon — which featured a container of Tootsie Rolls at each table — at Quaker Steak and Lube in Mentor.
"We were all in the biggest battle in the Korean War," member Bill Pevec said. "We call ourselves the ‘Chosin Few' because we made it out and there were a lot of losses."
The group, which was formerly part of the national organization called "The Chosin Few," has since broken away as its own separate entity with members mainly from Northeast Ohio, though the group does boast members from southern Ohio as well, Pevec and President Joseph Prizzi said.
"We're not a military organization, but more of a social organization — no saluting," Pevec said with a chuckle. "We have lunch and then we just shoot the breeze, scuttlebutt ... find out what's going on, the latest news, who is sick, who has died. Our ranks are rapidly dwindling."
Nancy Kot, a Kirtland resident, explained how the Chosin Reservoir Veterans organization not only bonded her with other veteran wives, forming life-long friendships, but helped her husband as well.
"It was good for my husband because he was just so bottled up and he was able to get it all out to these guys," she said, pointing to Prizzi and the other men in the room. "I learned things I never knew and I've been married to him for 58 years."
Sitting across from her, Nancy Buerger of Wickliffe shared her own involvement in the group as the author of its newsletter.
"It's called ‘The Buckeye Journal' and it's to keep the veterans informed of upcoming events and also what is going on with their benefits, which they never get, which they fight for now after fighting the war," Buerger said referring to costs associated with things such as post traumatic stress, disabilities and loss of limbs. "Trying to get benefits for these things, that is next to impossible."
The newsletter's logo is a star, which symbolizes the last day of the battle.
"We had lousy, lousy weather. It was 30 below zero and we were supposed to be fighting a war," Prizzi recalled. "We were going to push our way out."
Prizzi said the group was surrounded and greatly outnumbered by Chinese troops, but because of the weather, they were unable to get air support.
"We had to move out. That day, when we were moving out, the skies cleared and this star appeared," Prizzi said. "And we were able to get air support. The star appeared and showed us the way."
Prizzi's wife, Pat, dabbed at her eyes and shook her head.
"It still brings tears to my eyes. They were going to move out anyway and who knows what would have happened if not for that," she said.
But memories and stories aside, the group's main interest is keeping the camaraderie strong among its members and discussing what is going on in their lives, Pevec said.
"It's just a wonderful group, one I'm proud to be a part of," Nancy Kot said.
Pat added, "Everybody gets a long really well with each other."
Nam Vet
Because we do not honor our heros, we are now governed by the sub-human criminals, tyrants and psychopaths of the Obama Regime. A direct cause-effect relationship, in my opinion.
“They’re on our right, they’re on our left, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us; they can’t get away from us this time.”
Chesty Puller, USMC, Chosin Reservoir
USAF call out to the Marines!
I believe Chesty also said something like ,”we are not retreating, we are attacking in a different direction.”
former Marine (Korean War)
Wasn’t it General Ned Almond saying how we were being attacked by a bunch of Chinese laundrymen?
Chosin was a horrible chapter for our military. I had two uncles there. One a Marine Gunny, the other a USAF forward air controller. Neither knew the other was there. Both got out.
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