Campus Life News

Being humble is defined as not proud and not thinking of yourself as better than other people.  That meaning never had more significance than this autumn when two strangers met.

Oswego native and Korean War veteran, Jerry Blum, came to a quaint unoccupied classroom in the Marano Campus Center to meet a SUNY Oswego international student from South Korea named Jaegeun Ryu.  This meeting took place because Jerry’s daughter, Laurie Burns who works for The Point, brought a commendation he received to work after noticing one side of the document was in Korean.  She sought out a student to translate the framed official papers.  Ironically, the one student who offered to help Laurie was Jaegeun.  Once he started to read Jerry’s commendation he was emotionally moved in what he read.  Jerry had served in his hometown of Taegu, South Korea.

A meeting between the two men was arranged, it was a very humbling experience watching these two individuals interact.  You would think the two of them would have nothing in common, such as age and culture, but they had more in common then one would expect. 

While on campus that day Jerry was asked by several people, at various times, about his memory of the war and each time he would response by saying, “No, no I don’t remember anything from the war.  I guess getting old causes you to forget.”

Almost in the same breath Jerry would talk with Jaegeun and name the various rivers and mountains in the southern region of South Korea.  He would also mention how cold the winters were with temperatures at times 30 degrees below zero.  I don’t believe Jerry has forgotten what happened in Korea, I think he has chosen to protect his heart and those around him.

Jaegeun knows what life would be like if South Korean, American and ally forces did not push back the relentless Chinese army.  He reflected on what the Communist regime to the north has done to the Koreans living there.  Jaegeun explained about the brain washing that has occurred, “I know someone that left North Korea years ago, and to this day they think that government is great.”

Jerry’s service during the war was exemplary.  His unit, Battery A – 78th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion, saw some of the most intense gunnery exchange of any ally.  As with most soldiers who go into battle, it is amazing that Jerry came back home unscathed.

“I never thought I would meet an American solider and I want to thank you for your sacrifice and protection,” said Jaegeun.

This was not your average meeting; it was about the humility to serve and the gratitude for someone’s service.  Humble to serve, isn’t that what we should all do?  Many of us will never get a chance to serve our country like Jerry, but many us can or do serve our community.

Jaegeun’s thoughtful thank you and Jerry’s simple nod in saying, you’re welcome, is a cherished memory.  Seeing a bond develop before your eyes makes the world seem like a simpler place.  Many times a gift doesn’t come in a box with a bow.  At that moment a gift came with a simple thank you that will be cherished for a lifetime.