Helm, Jefford celebrate Thanksgiving with troops on DMZ
National Commander Michael Helm and first lady Debbie Helm serve Thanksgiving dinner to U.S. and South Korean troops stationed along the Demilitarized Zone Thursday. (Photo by John Raughter)

Helm, Jefford celebrate Thanksgiving with troops on DMZ

With more than 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in close proximity to one of the world’s most dangerous and unpredictable regimes, American Legion National Michael D. Helm knew where he wanted to spend Thanksgiving.

“They do so much for us, we need to show our appreciation,” Helm said, while serving Thanksgiving dinner to U.S. and South Korean military personnel at Camp Bonifas alongside the demilitarized zone, which separates the two Koreas. Helm was joined by his wife, Debbie, and American Legion Auxiliary National President Janet Jefford.

“This warms the hearts of my soldiers and that means a lot to me,” said Lt. Col. Chris Nyland, commander of the U.N. Commander Security Battalion and the Joint Security Area. “The soldiers are usually isolated up here and every sign of support from home is appreciated. What they do is so important, but it is also stressful. There is a lot of responsibility that goes with the mission here.”

The Korea visit was part of a whirlwind Far East tour that Helm is taking, which has already included visits to Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines. While visiting Korea, Helm and Jefford met with Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti and U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert.

The American Legion delegation was reminded of the sacrifices American and South Korea servicemembers made to keep the region free, as they visited the War Memorial Museum in Seoul.

“Many returning veterans have bad memories of this place, and I don’t blame them,” said Kim Sam-Gon, the group’s tour guide. “When they came here more than 60 years ago, they saw a poor filthy country with dirt roads and no infrastructure. We were a disorganized mess. They have bad memories of that horrible war. But when they come back today, they see a developed vibrant economy and a country that is remarkably successful. We are fully modern and free. I tell them to look around Seoul and the rest of South Korea. This is what you fought for.”

A Republic of Korea Honor Guard lined a path in a ceremony worthy of a visiting head of state, as Helm and Jefford placed a wreath at South Korea’s National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu Wednesday. Helm and Jefford also met with local Legionnaires who are in the process of obtaining a charter for what is hoped to be a new American Legion post to serve U.S. military personnel and the many veterans who reside in South Korea.

Helm and Jefford are now visiting Taiwan and will head to Okinawa Monday evening, before visiting the Department of Hawaii, where they will participate in Pearl Harbor observances.