FOR ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN
Bell Gardens High School Korean War Veterans
1947 to 1954
Please go to the following link for the latest info on the Bell Gardens HS Reunion:
All.pdf This is a summary of all information of the subject Korean War Veterans.
We asked Mr. McCain (see his contact info, below) as to how did the Reunion go? His response:
"George,
It was considered the best ever, as I couldn't attend myself they did inform me 145 people attended as this was dedicated as the 60th and 1953 classes, a DVD which they also sent me of the school in 1947-48 as the first graduation was 1948, it is about 20 minutes long, they also handed out 130 of the Booklets of the Korean War Veterans Memorial, of which I have had just a lot of comments all positive. Another List was handed out of the "Unknown" with 555 names of people we are not sure of which has given us 20 more names of Veterans and around 20 confirmed non-military. I have since emailed the High School and Classmates to consider a "Tell America Program" which we would be able to place all 3,700 Students presently enrolled in Bell Gardens High School the same Booklet, and a presentatation of the Korean War with a few of the BGHS Korean War Veterans in attendance. I have emailed a person in Texas that has products for the Presentation, a BGHS non military but of the Class 1953 which Taught for 30 years at that High School wants to also participate. The closest KWVA Chapters are in Torrance, California and Bakersfield, neither is considered close so this would be proper to use actual Korean Veterans from the High School. Not sure what will happen but the potential is there, and presently several of the KWVets have joined that are in my email group.
Total Names at present = 865 Classmates given by several lists, by the Charger, and lists given by memory
Some changes from information obtained at the Reunion
Attendance was 145, of which 100 Booklets were copied then put together for the reunion, each done by Bea Norred (McDaniels) and staff. I know this was not a planned part of the reunion, and the cost of each booklet not counting the labor is $5 each just in materials. They were put together by hand, not a printer’s machine.
Non Military = 561 total names as not yet confirmed as Military or non-Military, of those listed 23 have been confirmed non-military which now 542 names I just don’t know their status.
Total Confirmed Korean War Veterans = 321
2 of those confirmed are Women, Pat McLaren Air Force and Joyce Talbert in the Army
KIA = Now 7 confirmed
Army = 152
Air Force = 74
Navy = 79
Marines = 16
Neil M. McCain Vice Commander
Oregon Department Korean War Veterans
mccain@clearwire.net
541 660 6104