OPINION: Poignant message recalls a man and war

My late stepfather fought in the Korean War, which started 70 years ago and lasted for three years. Growing up with him, I came to appreciate why he had enlisted in the Australian Army and what being at war had meant to him. He often told me stories about the South Koreans who fought alongside him. He would say their names and describe their characters. As a result of being in the Korean War my stepfather, Richard Woodhams, pictured, eventually became a soldier settler and farmed on the south coast at Gairdner River, about 120km east of Albany. However, when the opportunity arose later in his life, he returned to South Korea on several occasions. He was interested to see what had happened and where he had been. On these occasions he would often meet with other Korean War veterans. I’m sure a few battles were relived. It is hard to understand how another person thinks and what impact certain events have on that person’s life. I believe that was certainly the situation with my stepfather. Fighting in Korea meant a lot to him. It was quite possibly the biggest influence on his life. He saw some of the men he enlisted with die in battle. He carried permanent reminders, both mental and physical, of his time on the battlefront, “swapping shot and shell”, as he described it. I was reminded of this only a few days ago when I received an item in the post addressed to my stepfather. Remarkably, it was from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in Canberra. Inside the envelope was a letter the embassy had sent to all known Australian soldiers who had fought in Korea. The letter thanked them for their efforts and sacrifices of 70 years ago. Also in the envelope were six face masks. I quote part of the letter: “You risked your life in a strange land filled with gunfire and strange people ... the people who you saved were our grandfathers and grandmothers, our fathers and mothers. Now around the world many are suffering from the global pandemic of COVID-19 ... we are especially concerned about the well-being of you who dedicated your youth to protecting the Republic of Korea ... we have prepared a token of appreciation.” Technically, the Korean War has never finished. A peace treaty is yet to be signed.