KVA Co-founder John Durham has died. John was one of my original nine members when we started this back in 2001. John was one of the incorporators of the KDVA Department of Mass as well as Korea Veterans of America INC and KWVA Chapter #299. He helped start the Sponsorship of the Wareham JR ROTC Program. He never missed a fundraiser or one meeting. He was instrumental in getting the KVA Monument in Middleboro erected. Many many days and nights myself and John stood alone in front of Shaws or Stop and Shop trying to raise funds for our monument. Our feet would be freezing and we would takes turns sometimes sitting inside our cars when it got so cold. John was a dedicated member to the end to the KVA and his fellow Korea Veterans. He believed in what we are doing. John served in Korea with the US Army 7th Infantry Division, 32nd Infantry Regiment in 1956-57, Recon Platoon. He later served with the 1st Cavalry Division' 1/7 CAV -- Garry Owen!! John was a Teamster for over 50 years and has been married to his wife Mary for over 50 years. They have several children and grandchildren. John will be waked on Sunday in Wareham and buried at Bourne National Cemetery on Monday at 9 am. More info tomorrow. John you will be missed especially by me my friend.  RIP Korea Veterans of America Inc says goodbye John!!

Jeff Brodeur

John R. Durham - 72, of Wareham, formerly of Boston, died August 6, 2008. Retired Teamster, Local 25. Husband of Mary F. (O'Hare) Durham. Father of Dorothy Vicino & her husband Francis, Jr. of Wareham, Paula Stark & her husband Douglas of Wharton, NJ, Cheryl Melanson & her husband Don of West Wareham and Michelle Robado & her husband Paul of Winchendon. Brother of Rosemary Sutton of Brockton and the late Alice Bartlett, Loretta Hays, Helen Hood, Margaret and Charles Durham. Step brother of Patrick Durham of Boston. Also survived by 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, several nephews and nieces.

His funeral will be held at 9:00 a.m. in St. Patrick's Church, High St., Wareham. Burial will be in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visiting hours are from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation, 1 Bulfinch Place #2, Boston, MA 02114 or to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude's Pl, Memphis, TN 38105.

For directions & online guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com

I would like to thank the 400-500 bikers who attended. This was hosted by the Baystate/Ocean State Iron Indian Riders. Chapters from the Backstone Valley, Gunfighters, Combat Veterans Assn. Covenant, Bikers for Christ,  and many individual riders participated. Roldo Cesaroni President of the Baystate/Ocean State Iron Indian Riders organized the event with the chapter.

Korean War Veterans Assn National Director, Massachusetts Governors Veterans Advsory Member - Jeff Brodeur - Father of Corporal Vincent Mannion.

Vincent with Blackstone Valley Chapter members.

Vincent's Battalion (2-505th PIR) made the jump into Sicily Drop zone and his company did the JRTX assault. President Bush was on hand to review the troops and unveil the new Global War on Terrorism Monument. He also awarded 3 Distinguished Service Crosses. 2 of those medals were awarded to 2 members of Vincent's Battalion (2-505th PIR). SGT. Chris Corriveau and SGT. Eric Moser who were part of a 4 man sniper team surrounded by hundreds of terrorists. The trapped team killed dozens of insurgents and only half of them made it off the roof top, Corrieiveau and Moser held until reinforcements from the battalion came to their aid. 5 Silver Stars were also awarded by the President,  one to SSG Peter Rohrs of the 82nd Aviation Brigade for rescuing 12 critically wounded soldiers while under fire in Afghanistan.