Friday 15 July 2011

Swedish - USA Naval Reunion in South Korea

From the beginning of history, armed forces have carried banners or other emblems to serve as symbols of unity and strength.
This time-honored tradition continues. Leaders, commanders and soldiers come and go, but organizational colors remain timeless, representing a permanence and harmonization of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Yesterday's ceremony was held inside due to the heavy rain and the change of; Commander: United Nations Command (UNC); ROK-US Combined Forces Command; United States Forces Korea (USFK) started with the National Hymnes.
It was fabulous to see the appriciation General Sharp but also his wife Joanna received. In my world something the Swedish Defence Forces could adopt. I was very impressed by the way the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs, Admiral Mike Mullen acknowledged all the volonteer work and relation building Mrs. Joanna Sharp has done in the three years they lived and worked here.

 Admiral Mullen; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs, me; officially called the dependend and Admiral Bob Willard; PACOM.
After the ceremony Anders and I had the possibility to talk with Admiral Mullen and Admiral Willlard. Both wondered what we were doing in Korea and sharing their concern of the situation on the Korean peninsula. It was quite some time ago we danced in Admiral and Mrs. Mullen’s dining room, but we weren’t forgotten J



Admiral Mullen passes the organizational colors from the outgoing General Sharp to the incoming commander General Thurman. This represents the symbolic transfer of command responsibility and indicative of the sacred trust and confidence that a nation places in the capabilities of the new leader.


Mrs. Joanna Sharps work was honored and she received a medal for all her achievements in Korea











Anders and his military collegues from 17 nations saluting the colors. 

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