CHAPTER CHATTER
The Official Newsletter of the
Shenandoah Valley Chapter #313
Korean War Veterans Association
Commander Departs
At our Annual meeting, Commander Don Netschke said his goodbyes to the Chapter. Our new Commander Ray Ewing presented Don with a “Certificate of Leadership” in recognition of his outstanding & dedicated service as Commander during the year 2016. During his tenure, Chapter membership reached 105 members.
Don is relocating to Staunton, VA. And is preparing for his up-coming marriage on Dec 31st.
MEMBER PROFILE
Josh Morimoto – 20 years with the U.S. Army.
Born and raised in the state of Hawaii, my grandfathers and grandmothers immigrated, one from Japan, and the 2nd from Okinawa. My first intro-
duction to “War” was when my mother saw the Japanese fighter and bomber planes pass over the bus that she was in, on their way to Pearl Harbor. The bus driver, fearing the planes would bomb the bus, stopped the bus and told everyone to get out and would not run the bus again.
My 2nd introduction to “War” was watching the movie “To Hell and Back” starring Van Johnson who played a Platoon Leader leading a platoon in the U.S. Army’s 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which fought in Africa, Italy, and France. This unit was formed of Japanese-Americans who volunteered for this unit and fought in World War II. This was one of the highest decorated units of its size in the war. War affects everyone differently. I worked for a Landscaping company, whose owner would never speak about his experiences as a Medic in this unit in the bloody battles especially in Italy and