I met some of the Frozen Chosin on occasions during the 1990s and before. They were men. I also met some World War 2 infantry soldiers and tankers before they died. They were also courageous, sane, sober, happy, stable, solid men who loved family and moral tradition. There were also real Vietnam veterans with prior service in combat specialties who trained with me in the National Guard as motor pool mechanics and medics (rather old for our combat platoons but still fearless). They were great men of good humor and concrete stability.
The veterans of World War 2 and Korea were trained long before 1970, and I was trained after 1988. I was in the National Guard and never mobilized, but they honored me only for being willing to go through 13 weeks of initial training without any threat of being drafted. They were humble. They were a generous dose of fatherly strength. We were all smiles and talk. I miss them very much.
And although he died of natural causes here in the United States over ten years ago, my father has Korea on his military headstone.
I can’t add anything to all your great observations on those amazing men (and women, too) who have served in some dire situations and accomplished so much.
I also agree on what a privilege it is to have been/is to meet such great people and great Americans. We owe them so much.