Mary K's Memories
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I was 26 when I joined Army Special Services as a librarian. I had wanted to ever since one of their recruiters came to the library school where I was studying because, as the proverbial "scholarship kid" and the first in my family to go to college, I had never been anywhere, and the idea of going to an Asian country intrigued me. This created problems later on when soldiers wanted to know why I was there voluntarily when they wanted to be anywhere but, so I finally said that I made a lot of money, which was partially true. My curiosity, though, led me to lots of interesting places in Korea including, at one point, to the home of one of my library assistants whose new baby was having his 100-day celebration, and on a tour of CheJuDo, the island off the southern tip of the peninsula.

As a product of same-sex Catholic girls schools, I found being an American woman in the midst of hundreds of men peculiar at times, but I loved the experience. Of many memories, I particularly liked doing book spots on army radio and becoming famous around the 2nd Division as "Mary K from RC3." On the other hand, I never drink Mateus rose wine because every officer's club there served it with dinner as a compromise, rather than deciding between white or red. Can't stand the stuff to this day. Korean food, though, is a different story. I still like it and I can cook a lot of it.

Ironically, now working in Queens, New York, I am surrounded by Korean immigrants, students and colleagues with access to great Korean restaurants, almost like I never left. I hope you enjoy our memories.

Mary Kay


       
RC#3 Library
Two soldiers enjoying the patio at the main entrance of FrontLine Service Club at RC#3.
RC#3 Gate House. All vehicles and visitors to the Rec Center entered here.
Looking out across the Imjin over Sand Island toward North Korea. This view was both somber and beautiful.
RC#3 BWQ. The ladies from Special Services lived there with Mrs. Pak, the house keeper.
Julie working on a project in the craft shop with me and some of the guys looking on.

Me and Lt. Mah, my tour guide for part of my time in Korea. He was a ROK liaison officer to US forces.

Me in full native Korean dress. At the time it was every day dress. Worn less today.
Mary K - top right
My offical Army Special Services Photo. Wonder where my cap was?
Plowing and preparing the paddy for planting rice shoots or sprouts. I remember the fertilizer aroma well.
Planting rice shoots in rows by hand.
Rice being harvested.
Rice paddy during growing season.
Second Infantry Division Library Staff gathered for a group shot on a summer picnic.
Me and Cree enjoying the shade.
Unknown, Joean Leland, Mary K, Dee Dee Drosnes, Caroline Hogshead, and Chong Sang Mo

Unknown, Dee Dee, Caroline, Cree, Mary K, Mr. Chong, and Mr. Kim
Caroline, Dee Dee, and Unknown Mary K and Dee Dee
Unknown, Joean, Mary K, Dee Dee, and Caroline Same Group - Koreans unknown
Una Dilbeck, Col, and Edith Celley
Geri and me poolside during the dedication of RC#3's new pool. It was a hot and humid Korean summer day.
Me talking with Lloyd at Thanksgiving talent show. Sgt. Patterson behind, and Darrell with back to camera. Who was Santa?
Me as Santa
Christmas show at the Frontline Service Club
I am serving guests at Christmas party for Korean employees and families at RC#3 Service Club.
Santa passing out treats to the children at Christmas party.
Santa taking a snack break.
Edith and me on the serving line with back to camera.
Hank, Mary K, and John in Seoul.
RC#3 library employee and Mary K in Seoul.
Bulguksa Temple Alter with statues.
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Monk at right standing before the Bulguksa Temple Alter.
Terraced rice paddies.
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Mary K in November 1967.
Statues from the Koyro Period.
Rice paddies dwarfing farm house and out buildings.
Monk in front of the Bulguksa Temple Alter.
Priest's home at Bulguksa Temple. Woman carrying tray in normal way.
Kyongjiu Temple
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Kimchi Pots outside home.
Father and son. Mary K is the shadow in left corner.
Main Security Route north of the Imjin. This is a much photographed scene.
Cave Temple located at Kyongiu.

Typical home construcrtion.

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Room design and painting of Bulguska Temple.
Interstate 2-31. Yang Yong Sok at the RC#3 Library. Now deceased, he was a good guy.
Noodles drying in the sun.
Frontline Service Club taken from above rear patio of the BWQ.
Mary K and Charlena with a group of native dressed women.
Sp4 Garrett 8
BWQ or Women's Quarters at RC#3.
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Sign for RC#1, commanded by Ken Leighty. Sunset seen on clear days from RC#3. Other than gunfire in the zone it was quiet.
Main entrance and gate house taken from the street in front of the service club.
From behind the Craft Shop looking over the ball field toward the ammo dump.
BWQ looking toward the sentry dog kennels. Patio is to rear and right of building. Mrs. Pak, friend and housekeeper, to the ladies of the BWQ .
       
       
       
     
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RC#3 Buildings
Countryside of 1967-1968
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Mary K's Memories
 
 

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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