Korean vet maintains Memorial Day stance
Edwin D. Yahn, of Harrisville, didn't enlist in the Army for the Korean War. He was drafted less than a year after he married his wife, Hazel.
But that doesn't make him any less proud of being a combat veteran who served on the front lines as a mortar sergeant.
“I'm proud of what I was able to do while I was ... there,” Edwin said. “I've always been proud.”
Edwin joined Hazel and their son the Friday before Memorial Day to discuss what the holiday means to them.
As a former infantryman, Edwin said having the chance to celebrate the lives of soldiers who didn't return home — or who did and can no longer celebrate — is an important part of every veteran's journey.
“It's a day when we honor our dead,” Edwin said. “Some of the (soldiers') stories will never be told.”
For the Yahns, Memorial Day is usually a time for commemorating American sacrifices with an annual American Legion parade. Edwin is part of Harrisville American Legion Post 852 and attends the celebration every year.
This year, the event was canceled.
Edwin said that's hard for him.
“(It's a) very emotional day,” his wife said. “It brings back lots of sad memories (of) when he was away.”
Edwin said when he was stationed at Camp Breckinridge in Kentucky before being transferred to Korea, Hazel followed him.
When she went to the base to see him in the orderly room, the commanding officer told her she had no business looking for her husband because he belonged to the U.S. Army.
“I felt bad,” Hazel said.
“Then, he ordered lunch for me after he chewed me out,” she recalled.
Talking about his experiences in Korea isn't always easy for Edwin. The men he served with became more than comrades.
“There's about four men (who) I was with (who) were like my brothers,” Edwin said. “We were family.”One of those men was responsible for Edwin coming home.Edwin said he stayed in touch with several comrades over the years. But many men from his regiment have died. He continues to remember them and other veterans with Memorial Day services and other events.Memorial Day isn't just about celebrating the family built through service, the former soldier said. It's also about celebrating the family built at home. “We usually have a picnic at the Legion,” Edwin's son, also named Edwin, said.Edwin said his grandsons in New Mexico usually come to visit for the weekend, but they aren't this year.Friday afternoon, the Yahns discussed what they would do to remember veterans and celebrate America this year.Edwin said he wanted to be part of a private ceremony the Legion was having. “If I'm able to, I'm going to go down to the cemetery,” Edwin said.Edwin turns 90 in July. He has been married 69 years to Hazel.Edwin said he has been active in the American Legion for years. He believes it's important to have those organizations available for soldiers returning home from war.His son said his own patriotism comes from his father. “He said we're all flag wavers,” he said. “Even though we can't gather together (on Memorial Day), we can still find time in our day to be respectful.”The Army taught the elder Edwin many things, such as discipline and respect. He believes serving young is a good way to grow as an individual.The examples set by veterans inspired him when he was growing up. He said two of his uncles served in World War II.“The men in my town who were in the service were my heroes,” Edwin said. “I was never more proud to have done what I did.”
