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Carolyn Wade (Kirkman) (1971)

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and that 2015 will be a very good year for all of you.  I have enjoyed reading all the posts that have been put on here and they all bring back many memories.  Wish I could remember our quarters number but I don't.  I do remember that we lived on the corner and that the first secretary to Pres. Pak lived directly behind us, David Schwaab lived on the corner across from us and when his family moved Barb Koenig and her family moved in.  Also Fred Waterman and sister Charlottee were about 2 buildings on down.  We had a big bunker across the street on the same side as the MP booth.  Just down from the bunker Kathy Peterson and her family lived.  When they changed the MPC's  the gates were locked and it seemed like the security protection for the 1st secretary tripled. Have to admit that there were nights that it was somewhat eerie to have so many machine guns all around.  I have been back several times, and I had fun remembering my years in Korea, but ths changes that have taken place are amazing.  

As I sit here in my living room and look around, I can picture different events, times, and places.  The big carved eagle reminds me of Christmas spent at Camp John Hay in the Philippines.  The beautiful silk screen on the wall makes me think of the Christmas that we spent in Toyko at the old Sanyo hotel.  All of the oriental dolls that my Mother collected each have a special memory and help me to remember the many places that we traveled to. The silver bottle on the altar table brings back many memories of eating at the KMAG club as there was one on every table.  Again, I've rambled on, but I do wish each and all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Herbie Chun (1976)

To all SAHS alum, Merry Christmas!

Jim Wisser (1966)

Happy Holidays and best wishes for a Great New Year to everyone from SAHS!

Mark Schelter (1973)

Ted Green (1962)

Its great that SAHS has this website and that those of us who wish to be in touch can do so, so easliy. Great to occasionally have thoughts and mempories shared from my cohort, either here or on Facebook: Dave B. Sam Dix, Sue Scott, Mike N. Jim H., Kerry J., Don R and Don Clark, Gayle Roberts, John Knight,  Doug Skonard, Lee Danisch, Kel Keller, Arthur Lee, Pat & Dru McConaughy, Lyn & Cindy Shaw. 

I heard from Evette Koenig once last year. I helped her get elected to student government because she was running against Judi Anglemeyer, and--now it can be told---Judi broke up with me and gave me despair & teen angst. I needed to get revenge.

All this happened about a year after our band sang "Why Must I be a Teeneger in Love?" at a Korean student coffee shop (tea house?). A Korean student politely asked our permission to come up to the microphone and sing that song better than we did. And so he did! An awkward moment in US-Korean relations. Dave will remember this. Wish Eddie Jones was around to remember....

Lyn Shaw (1962)

Hi, everyone....I'm enjoying reading these messages, which bring back many memories and feelings. I was only in Korea for two years, but they changed my life. I guess that happened to us all. My own prominent memories involve the frequent parties on South Post at friends' homes  dancing in our quonset hut Teen Club, decorating  a hall with Jan Burgess and Sue Scott for the Sayonara-themed junior prom, strolls at beautiful Duksoo Palace in excellent company, many weekend trips via carry all into the countryside organized by my parents, and great weekend journeys with a group whose name I've forgotten ( does forgetting things like this seem familiar to any of you nowadays:-)...something like the British East Asia Society.... Those days will be etched in my memory forever. What a magical, rare time. I send each of you a blessing for 2015!

Susan Scott (Weinsheimer) (1962)

and thanx Lyn for more special times remembered. you and i also went to several orphanges to volunteer. there were many children in the orphanages who looked like Asian Amreicans. Especially sad sight to me.

Chrissy Reitz (Stevens) (1967)

Anyone remember the words to "This Land is Your Land; This Land is My Land; from..."

Lyn Shaw (1962)

Chrissy...here's some of it..."This land is your land, this land is my land, from California to the New York Island...from the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream water...this land was made for you and me. When I was walking along the highway...I saw above me that Golden Skyway...I saw below me that Golden Valley...this land was made for you and me..."

Chrissy Reitz (Stevens) (1967)

It was the Korean version of this Land was made for Pak Chung He.  I can't remember the words from that version.

Jan Burgess (Bays) (1962)

Hi Everyone.

This is Jan (Burgess) Bays class of '62. I just discovered this forum.

I also have the warmest memories of time in Korea. We were there from 1959-81. My dad taught at Yonsei University, we lived in Itaewon, and had to take the shuttle bus down to the post. We went to Seoul Union Church so I also had many friends -- missionary kids -- from Seoul Foreign School.  I remember the Teen Club quonset hut on the base, dancing, fresh French fries and shakes, going out to the Officer's Club once in a while for special meals, decorating the qym with Lynn Shaw for the Sayonara dance --- we constructed cherry trees in full bloom out of fake branches, and someone's father actually made us a metal pool with a little arched bridge over it that couples could stroll across -- it was pretty magical when the lights were low. My folks square danced at SAHS with Kerry Johnson's father as a caller. I danced with Kerry -- which got me started, and now, decades later, my husband and I square dance weekly -- lots of fun and good exercise for body and brain. Kerry convinced me to take a nigh-time trigonometry course thru U. Maryland extension, which helped set me up for college math.

I remember when the chemistry teacher was also the home-ec teacher and our "experiments" consisted of seeing how baking soda worked, and washing little squares of different kids of cloth and putting them on the window sill to see which dried faster. (I was NOT prepared for chemistry in college!) Tom Drummond and another evil friend (was that you, Ted Green?) used to have a wooden drawer in the desk that they'd open up and dump all their hot smoking chemistry experiments into. The biology teacher was also the gym teacher, so we didn't learn much biology, either. The Latin teacher was tough!

I remember going to the Holt orphanages to hold the babies who just lay in their cribs all day, having given up on crying because the staff didn't have time to hold or play with them. The staff went out each morning to collect abandoned babies -- almost all girls -- from the trash heaps. My mom took in three malnourished, sad baby girls and we helped get them fattened up, responsive and happy, and they ended up being adopted by Korean couples. When my dad's translator at Yonsei University came to the house my two sisters and I lined up to greet him. He looked at us and asked, "No boys?" My dad said, "No" and the translator said, "Well, better luck next time!" Fortunately my dad was proud to have a bunch of girls.  One tiem the translator brought hsi wife and little son. When the son saw us (blond) girls he burst out crying and wailed -- in Korean -- "High noses and white hair, high noses and white hair! " which is how ghosts look in Korea.

I remember the time of the revolution, when we had armed soldiers on the school bus from Itaewon to the post, and were ready to lie down on the floor at a moment's notice if shooting started.  That daily bus ride gave us views of old papa-sans with black stove-pipe hats smoking those long thin pipes, men walking all hunched over under A-frames loaded with cabbage for kimchi, little kids with no pants or split-seat pants peeing in the gutter, men turning their backs to pee against walls any time and anywhere, and the line of made-up ladies of the night on the corner. It was an education for a 13-14 year old! After the revolution we went down town to see the wreckage.

Remember the buses downtown that were make of flattened oil cans welded together? Very colorful. And the "crammer" who jammed people in? And riding in a hapsang taxi with ten other people all smashed together, smelling of perfumed hair oil and garlic kimchi? And the excitement and smells of the Namdemun Shijong (= South Gate Market) and the glorious colors of the brocades and gauzy cloth for chima-chogori (traditional Korean dresses) in the fabric booths! And taking trips in the crisp autumn air to the King's tombs.

I've been remembering all this recently because I stumbled across a very popular show in Korea called "My Love From Another Star." Also very popular in Japan. (The Japanes are crazy about Korean historial soap-operas for some reason,)You can find it on Hulu with English subtitles. It's about a young man from another star system who has been living in Korea for 400 years. You get to see many dramatic scenes of old Korea interspersed with scenes from modern, glitsy Korea. I'm on episode 7. It has brought up many memories. For example, I had forgotten how the Koreans' voices get gutteral when they want to emphasize something. 

Thanks so much for setting up the forum.  Many warm wishes for a New Year of peace, good heatlh, and at least a few interesting adventures and discoveries. I live and teach at a Zen Monastery in Oregon, so one adventure could be a trip to see the monastery!

Jan

Cindy Shaw (1964)

To Carolyn Wade Kirkman:  Re your mention of Camp John Hay.....following my years in Korea, 1959-1961, I spent my junior and senior year at Brent School in Baguio, Philippines...I spent a few "off campus" days hanging about Camp John Hay - a lovely place.  My life in the Philippines was even better than my life in Korea, and that had been pretty special.

I share many of the same wonderful memories as my sister Lyn as scribbled in her posting above.  A unique time for all of us.  And it has been terrific to read the memories everyone has been sharing.

A very blessed 2015 to all of you, whether I knew you or not!!

Cindy

Ted Green (1962)

Its great to read all this.

I knew Jan Burgess was teaching in a Zen monastery these days, but didn’t know about her dad teaching college in Korea. I will have to  figure out how to use Hulu so i can watch the Korean historical soap operas. She also wrote: "Remember the buses downtown that were make of flattened oil cans welded together?"

Yes, except the ones i remember were made of Coke and 7-Up cans. One night, around the time a military curfew was about to start, an SAHS friend & I decided we could run as fast as one of those taxis, even going at full speed. So we ran as fast as we could and got up to neck-to-neck with the driver, who of course turned to look at the crazy Megooks, and this distracted him and I believe there was an accident. I wish I had spent my time more constructively in Korea, esp. now that I am learning that some of you volunteered in orphanages and saved girl babies from the streets. Well, I was able to undo some negative Karma by working with orphans and in child soldier rehap programs, in Africa, in later life. Ditto that friend, pretty much.

Regarding song lyrics: virtually all of these can now be Googled. All you need is one line  (this works for poems too). In fact, one of the first song lyrics I looked up this way a few years ago was 'Gotta travel On," because I remembered signing it it the back of Don Clark's jeep with a group of Seoul Foreign kids, possibly my first week in Korea (Jan. 1960). Here are the lyrics

http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/billy_grammer/gotta_travel_on.html

Gerald Braley (1961)

Oh yes, the Quonset teen club.  Lived off post so didn't get there as often as some.  Anyone remember Danny Kaye coming to visit there?  Maybe I should ask if anyone remembers Danny Kaye?  My ancestral history in Korea started in the early 1800s.  One of the Braley's was a whaler from New England. Not sure how the got to Korea, (shipwreck, jumped ship, abandoned, etc.).  Koreans turned them (there where two) over to the Chinese.  They eventually made it back to New England to tell their tale.  What an adventure that must have been!  Speaking of which, how about our own trips to and from Korea?  I'll try to dig up the ship names but mostly they were converted navy troop transports.  Although some of them were first commercial ocean liners.  My trip from Korea was the most interesting because I came back alone.  21 days at sea!  Korea to Taiwan back to Korea, Japan, Guam, Hawaii, Oakland CA.  Bused to Seattle to see the Worlds Fair then bus to Maryland and eventually the university of MD.  Ran into Bob Mullens there one year when we were both members of the AFROTC saber drill team...and lived.  

Jan Burgess (Bays) (1962)

Hi Ted,

To use Hulu, you just go to www.hulu.com and then enter the name of the show you want to see in the search function.

Or, you can use Google and search "my love from another star" and it will pop up with a Hulu link.

Hulu is free for many TV shows, including this one.

Enjoy the scenes of market places and old games and costumes !

Jan

David Baldwin (1961)

Ted.... You are correct about the student who came forward and gave us a music lesson.  However, no one offered to out do the Silvertone's version of RED RIVER ROCK!  We got 'em with that one.  I remember that the place was packed wall-to-wall.  No fire codes there!#*^+*!

I also remember that we performed at that coffee house just prior to our recording sessions and the student led demonstrations of 1960.  Powerful times for the Land of the Morning Calm!

Susan Scott (Weinsheimer) (1962)

i remember Danny Kaye and his dislike of young boy acting out and the cold of quonset hut. He left in a huff - great with children so the press used to say. More I remember the anxiously awaited visit by Mr Smith of Pearl Buck.  We were all to listen to her closely for her every profound word and take notes for a test to follow. Alas her speech was full of ahs and ers and she really didn't know her subject. Poor Mr Smith what a blow to him.

David Baldwin (1961)

Ted....  We also sang GOTTA TRAVEL ON in one of the USOM busses that took us to some spring outing. However, we changed the words a bit and focused on one of our not-so-likeable (at the time) teachers.  No names here!

Willie Combs (1999)

Hi SAHS fam! My name is Willie and I am from Class of 1999, the best class. My brother and I operate a screenprinting business in Tacoma, Washington and we create Unofficial Official SAHS apparel. 

Currently we have a special offer for SAHS apparel. Use code SAHS20 at checkout to receive 20%OFF ALL SAHS apparel. 

Take a look at our website, www.TheTshirtMen.com, for more information and ordering. 

-Falcons Never Die-
Willie

Ted Green (1962)

Dave, you have a great memory. I must download your brain sometime. I would find some gems!

Sue, I remmber Pearl Buck speaking to the school. I dont remeber awkward moments. Dave kept up with Mr Smith after Korea. I wish i had been nicer to him....he was a decent guy. I have a photo of him teaching a class (Claudia Chaille passed on some yearbook photo rejects to me, which is why i have some of these old pix.)

Is there a way to share photos on this board? Otherwise i can use Facebook

Pearl Buck is from Hillsboro, WV, same as Suzie's mom, and Buck's home is a historic lanmark..  

I remember a talent show put on for SAHS (1961?). There were two brothers who played twin fiddles, Appalachian style. They were very shy but their music blew me away awakened in me a deep need to learn Appalachian style fiddle (and a deep need in Dave to learn 5-string banjo...?) I wonder if anyone else remembers this little show?

Lon Burba (1967)

Well here are the Lon Burbas this Christmas.  For some reason every time I see this picture I think of my days in Korea.  I don't know why.  Somebody asked if it was possible to include pictures in these posts.  The answer is yes. 

Reg Whatley (1967)

Happy New Year to each and everyone 

I wished to update those who expressed their care and concern expressed in my post in early Novenber. I would have liked to have progress in my appeal with SDI but nothing at this time.

All in all it's been a good 2014, just not a great one andIas I last shared, it began to fall apart mid-term.

Here's a video compliation to share how my 2014 played out and confident 2015 will get better with a goal of recovery from CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome) and gain most if not all of my eyesight back to norm.

https://www.youtube.com/KVa0iUHP-Z4

To you and your loved ones I wish a healthy, joyous and prosperous New Year 2015.

Reg Whatley

Joan Knight (Russell) (1963)

Happy New Year to all my fellow SAHS BRATS... 

I have enjoyed reading all the comments from each of you during the past 2 months.  I have not been able to join in for two reasons; 1) I forgot my password and 2) your experiences are not familiar to me.

Mainly because I was a dorm student that usually commuted every weekend to Teague, leaving Friday after school and returning Sunday night.  Perhaps some of you visited to either Teague or Pusan. But my memories are of many good times and unusual experiences. The train ride was 7 hours and we had a lot of fun.  But the most unforgettable time was watching the fight of the overthrowing of the  government in the middle of Seoul while we sat on the lawn safely near the fence on base.  Amazing.

another time some friends and I were sitting on the lawn outside the HS during lunch and watched a mini-typhoon go by us but never disturbed us.  It picked up some garbage cans, debris, and other light objects.  So wild.

It was such a great experience to live overseas.

Joan Knight (Sidney Russell)

1963 

Ted Green (1962)

OK, I finally followed Jan Burgess's advice and signed up for a free Hulu TV account to watch My Love from Another Star. Very cool stuff. If only I had used my time in Korea to learn Korean ...or do something more productive (I know, we had a great rock band). Anyway, there are English subtitles.

Does anyone remember Miss Sundean, teacher of biology and geometry, and Homeroom proctor?

Joan Knight (Russell) (1963)

Does any one have pictures of the Quonset huts?  We had many classes in those huts for elementary school  in  Germany and France?