Hail to Colonel Jonsson & Major and Mrs. Norén and Farewell to Colonel & Mrs. Persson; Major & Mrs. Månsson.

Also the Swedish Delegation is this summer subject to changes, the last one for the coming two years.

In spite of summer leave for many families over 60 guests gathered to say farewell to the Persson and Månsson families after their service to the NNSC during the past twelve months.

We gathered at The Dragon Hill Lodge for the changing ceremony and many speeches were held to show the appreciation for the job done by the two Swedish officers. Both the Colonel and Major were awarded with a medal from ROK and US Defence Forces and they received a Crest and Coin of Excelence from the Swedish Defence Forces.

Colonel Persson receiving US medal from Colonel Taylor

Major Månsson, his wife Monika and children Elin and Karl receiving appriciated words and presents from the Swiss Delegates Quartermaster Captain Jan Breitenmoser.

Wifes and daughter who have supported and will support their husbands and father on their mission in South Korea.

Audience, including me ;) listening to the speeches held.

The State of Sweden got throughout the speaches recognition for the 58 years they have served the Armistice Agreement between North – and South Korea.

During the time these two officers served the NNSC there have been two major incidents to supervise, the sinking of the Pohang-class corvette Cheonan and shelling of Yeonpyeong Island, both incidents costing many human lives and suffering.

In spite summer leave for many military familes, a great deal came to participate this event.

My life partner and best friend was surprised with congratulations and an out of the ordinary gift in the middle of the speeches for his 53^rd birthday!

Now you know how you'll be remembered dear!

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. 

Common cultural behavior between Korea and Sweden

When I in the early eighties moved to Sweden, I found it very, very strange that everybody took their shoes of when entering a home. Don’t get me wrong here, of cause one has a dry clean pair of shoes to put on when the weather requires it. No, not in Korea, you're oblidged to take your shoes off and NO indoor shoes to be putted ON! Nice dress without shoes ruins the outfit. Men in suites going on socks look at the least said, ridiculous.

In Korea this behavior has developed! Here the host has slippers standing ready for their guests…………………………………

Charming or????

Waterskiing on the Han River, thanks to Captain Lee!

Many years ago my dearest wrote in his CV, that one of his hobbies is waterskiing. This is an inheritance from the time Vincent, our son, had a speedboat and ….yes water skies too.

However, this was when we were living in Bromölla close to Ivö Lake and we moved from that place 2003 :)

Jaeyeon Lee, captain in the ROKA, arranged for us the possibility to water-ski. She picked us and Allan & Barbara Blücher up at our home in the morning. After more than an hour driving and enjoying wonderful sceneries, we stopped to have a Korean lunch. Satisfied and full of energy we drove the last kilometers and the first candidate Anders, was set up to give it a shot!

Anders waterskiing on the Han River :)

We all were impressed, that is to say until the professional, Jaeyeon, took off on a mono-ski and showed us how waterskiing should be done.

Jaeyeon Lee on her mono-ski



Last and definitely least it was my turn and I wondered what I got myself into sitting ready for takeoff. Must say I look more charming on a cocktail party and I think I stick to that in the future!

Not very elegant, but I managed to hang on :)

Will Allan and Barbara ski next time? I'm sure for they didn't only got a taste for more Korean food but also for water skiing.

Allan & Barbara enjoying the Korean food.

Mentally preparing before the actual act!

Releaved we managed without any injuries.

Changing of Commands throughout the coming weeks.

Many Commands are being changed throughout the summer. After two to three years, new people are incoming and of cause the equivalent is outgoing. So soon Anders and I will be veterans hereJ.

MG Gurganus giving over his Command to MG Regner

Due to the nature of posting in Korea many nationalities are represented at the ceremonies, farewell receptions and dinners. Many military have several “hats” on; United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and Unites States Forces Korea.

The ceremonies are really something special and as a US military spouse said to me: "no matter how often you attend the ceremonies still touches one" So true!

This week we said Hail and Farewell to Commander U.S. Marine Corps Forces in Korea and had a “small” farewell dinner party for General Sharp and his wife Joanne. The Sharps are very appreciated for their engagement and achievements here in Korea and will be missed by many.

General Sharp and I before going to our seats.

Anders and Master Chief Cole, Naval Forces Korea.

Round tables with appr. 350 dinner guests in the Basket Ball Hall

We listened to several music performances and speeches.

EUKOR visit in Pyeongtaek - 평택 平 澤

I joined Anders, Rick and Stefan visiting EUKOR, one of the largest shipping companies specialized in transporting cars and other rolling cargo in the Harbour of Pyongtaek. We also had the possibility to visit the 2nd Fleet Base and paid our respect to the deceased from the Cheonan.
Pyeongtaek is a city located southwest from Seoul and was founded as a union of two districts in 940 AD, but didn’t receive city status until 1986. Situated at the coast it’s the home to a South Korean naval base and a large concentration of US troops. But more about Pyeongtaek on another occasion ;)
EUKOR invited us to see their operation and to be part of the small ceremony celebrating their newest vessel “Tiger” loading for her maiden voyage. EURKOR transports annually around 3 million cars worldwide and this “little” ship can take 8,200 cars on it multiple decks. It was impressive to hear about the logistics and to see how they load all these brand new cars.

On the way to the loading ramp of the vessel Tiger

Walking our way up, instead of taking the elevator, to the bridge.

Some of the cars waiting to be loaded!

Martin Malmfors and Anders Grenstad congratulating the captain of the Tiger and his crew.

The first engineer of the Tiger telling about the capacity of the ship.

Celebrating Swedish Midsummer and 4th of July: in the heart of Seoul

Last weeks we’ve been quite busy with, party-time ;) It started with the most appreciated Swedish celebration, Mid-summer. The small Swedish group living on Youngsan Base was invited to Stefan and Monika Månsson. They had prepared a wonderful Swedish buffet, with all the “must” regarding mid-summer food. We even had a small mid-summer tree and of cause some schnapps and traditional songs.

Yes the midsummer tree is wonderful, thank you Per and Allan!

 

Salmon, herring, fresh potatos, äggs & caviar, Janssons temptation, Swedish meatballs and more .......................................

A little bit of Sweden in "little America" in the heart of Seoul.

A week later we had the American National Day, hundreds of guests were invited to the US Ambassador’s residence to celebrate the 235^th Independent Day. Next day lot’s of fireworks and on the actual day we were attending the reception of Admiral Gumataotao at the Dragon Hill Loge (the hotel on base). Dress code: red-white-blue J   Think several of you recognize my outfit………

Anders together with "The Statue of Liberty & Uncle Sam"

Youth quire singing the National Hymn

 

On Anders' request a picture he took :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red-White and Blue...................