With the Olympics being held in South Korea currently, it made me think back to March 2014. Rick and I traveled to Seoul, South Korea to visit for about two weeks with our daughter Hilary after she completed an 18 month mission in Seoul for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. One of the things I absolutely wanted to do was to see the DMZ, (Demilitarized Zone of the North and South Koreas) and the JSA (Joint Security Area). After going through all of the security requirements and going through several military security check points we got to go. It was an experience that changed me. I came from that more grateful for the freedoms we, as Americans may take for granted. The tensions the South Koreans must endure because of the madness of the North regime is very real. I have a greater appreciation for our Nation, constitution, military, and everything we are blessed to have. The Koreans have suffered so much throughout their history because of other nations wanting to take over their land and nation. I have such a respect for the South Koreans in every aspect of their culture and their way of life. They still hope for the reunification of their brother and sisters of the North. What happened in Korea in the past was a nightmare. And the North Koreans are continuing that very nightmare today.
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| Looking straight at the North Korean building |
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| On the South Korean side looking at the North. South Korean soldiers standing like stiff cardboard cutouts. |
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| North Korean soldier, looking a bit malnourished. |
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| Joint security area (JSA) building where negotiations take place. |
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| With Hilary |
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| Next to a South Korean soldier. I'm standing on the North Korean side of the building. The building sits right on the middle of the two countries. A lot of history in that small building took place. |
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| Road to nowhere. This historic landmark is where Koreans could cross over to whatever side they wanted knowing that they could never go back. |
