Although the Korean War has often been referred to as "The Forgotten War," here in Racine County there is a group of Korean and DMZ Veterans who remember that period in history very well. For the past three years these men have been gathering, for a social breakfast, at the Meadows Restaurant in Franksville. They meet at 9 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month.

They are the survivors of that era in our history. Jim Becker, who is secretary-treasurer of the Korean War Veterans Chapter-227, said the gatherings also are an opportunity for the veterans to share information and a networking opportunity. Although most of the veterans who attend the breakfasts belong to the chapter, anyone who is interested can join them, Becker said.

"You're not required to be a member to come," Becker said. "A couple of months ago, we had a guy stop by whose brother was killed in Korea. He had served in Europe."

DMZ vets are members of the U.S. military who have served in the Korean demilitarized zone since the end of the war, said Becker, a Korean War vet.

The DMZ is a narrow strip of land that divides North and South Korea at the 38th parallel. The United States still has about 37,000 troops in Korea in the DMZ, Becker said.

Attendance varies from month-to-month - usually between 15 to 17 people - and January appears to be the month with the largest attendance, Becker said. There were 19 people at Wednesday's breakfast.

The idea for the breakfast came from Ed Slovak, the chapter's commander.

They swap stories and reminisce about a time years ago when they were called upon to fight and guard against communism in a distant foreign land, according to a news release from the group. Though, most Americans, by now, have forgotten the Korean War, these Korean and DMZ veterans will always remember, the release said.

To remind people about "The Forgotten War" and to teach others about it members of the Chapter speak at schools and community events about the war.

More than 37,000 of their comrades were killed in action, among them 801 from Wisconsin.

Anyone who is interested is welcome to join them at their monthly breakfasts on the first Wednesday of each month at the Meadows Restaurant in Franksville.

For more information, contact John Kamperschroer (262) 554-9642.

More history

A virtually unknown piece of American history will air on PBS in February. The PBS Documentary, "Prince Among Slaves," will premiere nationally on a majority of public television stations Feb. 4 at 10 p.m. Viewers should check local listings for broadcast times and dates.

"Prince Among Slaves" is based on a book written by Terry Alford. Alford is a history professor at Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale campus.

The film tells the true story of Abdul-Rahman, an African Muslim Prince who was captured in 1788 and sold into slavery in the American South. "Prince Among Slaves" chronicles Rahman's capture by British slave traders on the west coast of Africa, his life on a tobacco plantation in Natchez, Miss., the campaign for freedom that garnered the support of John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay and his return to Africa at age 67.

The film, which received major funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, won the Best Documentary Award at the 2007 American Black Film Festival. The documentary is narrated by actor and hip-hop artist Mos Def.

Phyllis Sides is a reporter for The Journal Times. This column, about the good stories of good people in Racine County, appears each week. She can be reached at (262) 631-1714 or by e-mail at

psides@journaltimes.com