According to the White House briefing, the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump is expected to have a state visit to the Republic of Korea on November 7, 2017.
First of all, as a citizen of the Republic of Korea, I wholeheartedly welcome Mr. President's visit to South Korea. I learned that President Trump's tight schedule would not allow him to accommodate a trip to the Demilitarized Zone(DMZ), which has separated South Korea and North Korea for 64 years, but will visit Camp Humphreys, a military base, an excellent demonstration that ROK government is sharing a lot of burden, instead.
I also note that during his visit President Trump will pay respect to those resting in peace at the Seoul National Cemetery. On the occasion of the US president's visit to the National cemetery, I, as a citizen of South Korea and a Vietnam War veteran, would like to earnestly solicit President Trump for stopping by for seconds at the General Chae, Myung-shin's grave located just beside the main incense altars of the Seoul National Cemetery.
The reason why I am humbly asking for President Trump's stopping by lies in the fact that ROKA General Chae, Myung-shin served as the first Commanding General of the ROK forces, Vietnam from 1965 to 1969. As a well-known authority on guerrilla tactics of the army of South Korea, he made excellent achievements fighting alongside with the US troops in Vietnam, which has made him be described as a war hero at home and abroad. As General Chae's last aide, I heard from the general more than one time that he maintained amicable relations particularly with the US commanders, Gen. William Westmoreland and Gen. Creighton Abrams during the Vietnam War.
General Chae became the first General in the history of South Korea to be buried in the enlisted soldiers' section of the Seoul National Cemetery. He is resting in peace in a 3.3 square meters plot like other soldiers even though he was entitled to a plot measuring 26.4 square meters.
For this reason, I firmly believe that President Trump's visit to the former ROKF-V commander's tomb will be greatly welcomed throughout the country because it will be considered as a great comfort for those who especially sacrificed their lives during the Korean War and the Vietnam War and an encouragement for the veterans of the two wars as well.
Hoping that my request will bring about a good result,
From a Vietnam War veteran in Korea
