Lynn salutes Korean War vets as armistice signing marks 60th anniversary

LYNN – Their ranks are thinning and their hair is gray, but a dozen Korean War veterans raised their hands high at city Veterans Services Director Michael Sweeney?s urging Friday and accepted applause from people gathered in City Hall?s foyer.Today marks the 60th anniversary of the armistice signing that established the demilitarized zone dividing North and South Korea. James Vincent Power of Lynn and Mary Gavin of Saugus fought in the war that preceded the signing and age has not dimmed their memories of enduring wet feet and cold food between nightly Chinese assaults.?The countryside was hill after hill and we were defending them every night,” Power recalled.Chinese troops blew whistles and shouted profanities in English as they charged the 1st Cavalry Division troops. After each attack, Power said the Chinese left their dead on the battlefield.?Our engineers would pile them into a big grave,” he said.U.S. Rep. John Tierney, Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, state Rep. Donald Wong, city councilors Gordon “Buzzy” Barton and Peter Capano, and School Committee members John Ford and Rick Starbard praised the Korean War veterans.?We don?t hear enough about the commitment and courage of those who served in the Korean War. We need to hear those stories,” Tierney said.Power said soldiers constantly struggled to keep their feet dry in the cold, wet Korean weather. The Army issued them two pairs of socks and Power said he dried out wet socks by sleeping with them tucked into his armpits. He recalled eating frozen hamburger and gravy with a bayonet.?By the time it was in your stomach, you had heartburn,” he said.Gavin and Power knew one another in Korea and Power spotted Gavin smoking a cigarette one day as 7th Cavalry Regiment troops filed past Power and other 8th Cavalry Regiment men.?He had a butt hanging out of his mouth. He looked like one of Bill Mauldin?s (World War II cartoonist?s) characters,” Power recalled.Gavin sustained shrapnel wounds in May 1951 to his right arm and face. He spent five months recuperating in hospitals and said a piece of metal “is still floating around somewhere” in his face.Sweeney said Friday?s salute to Korean War veterans precedes plans for a Sept. 22 afternoon veterans appreciation parade.?We respect your service, we thank you for it – we need to make sure younger generations understand your sacrifice,” he said.