An Interview with Captain Pat Peterson
September 20, 2011
2011 Miss DC Ashley Boalch, Captain Pat Peterson, and Major General Fox On July 27, SMI's Captain Pat Peterson participated in the Korean War Veterans Armistice Day Commemoration and Memorial Ceremonies. The event was held at the Arlington National Cemetery. The purpose of the event is to express the enduring gratitude of the American people for all who took part in the conflict. We caught up with Captain Peterson to discuss his involvement in the event. How did you become involved with the Korean War Commemoration and Memorial Ceremony? I have a friend who is a member of my local American Legion chapter and is a member and deeply involved in this event's organizing committee. One day he approached me about volunteering with the organization's memorial ceremonies. I immediately jumped at the invitation. That was back in 2009 and the rest is history. Is there a special reason you chose to be involved? People always talk about World War I, World War II, and the horrors of the Vietnam War. No one really discusses the Korean War. It has become somewhat of a forgotten war and it is important that we remember. We must not only remember the war and why we were there, but the individuals that sacrificed their lives and fought for this country. This was my chance to honor these forgotten heroes and why I have participated in this event for the past two years. What was your role in the ceremony? I narrated the Missing in Action section. To this day there are still people who never came back, but there are joyous stories like the one I recently heard this month. I read an article in the paper about Goodridge, Minnesota and how the remains of a prisoner of war (POW), Corporal James Norman Sund, were found and returned to his hometown after he died in captivity 60 years ago. This entire town of 300 people came together to celebrate his life and show support to this hero who sacrificed his life for this country. I think that encompasses why I continue to participate because we must never forget no matter what and nor should we. I joined the Navy in 1971 and it is the service of people like James Norman Sund that are part of the reasons why I joined. |
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