6 25 50
A Generation Comes to America
by
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Since my arrival four decades ago, I have written articles about the life in the United States. Most of them were published in the local papers: The Atlanta-Journal Consitution in Atlanta, The Carroll Star News at Carrollton, Georgia and The Gateway-Beacon at Bremen, Georgia. The Korea Times, English language daily paper in Seoul, Korea also published some of them. My first book, 6 25 50: A Generation Comes to America is a selection from those articles. Due to shifting circumstances in the intervening years, some articles may have lost some of their original luster but I believe, for the most part, they are still as relevant today as they were before. The numbers 6 25 50 denote the day, June 25 1950 when the Korean War started. It was the single most significant - and devastating - event in the lives of millions in the Korean peninsula. Nothing remained the same in our lives since the fateful day. The world had long forgotten but our generation of Korean people still carries the scar deep inside. I am a survivor. Many didn't make it. The story begins with pathos but ends with ethos. This is because I happen to believe in the calling of history that always looks to the future with hope, never dwelling in the past with despair. The second book in E-book format, Travelogue was published in April 2012. It is about my spiritual journey in life. When I began an immigrant life, how to keep my nose above water was the most urgent daily task. The 24/7 struggle lasted several years. In my twilight years, I reflect on those tough days. The latest book, Sourvenirs is my legacy to succeeding generations of immigrants from my part of the world. If anyone benefits from these books, my purpose for writing them would be fulfilled.
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About the Book
When I think of my dear friend Dan Pak, I immediately start running out of adjectives. Dan is my mentor. He is my hero. Dan Pak is the very embodiment of eminent courage, of implausible resilience, and of unfathomable faith.
To suddenly encounter an insurmountable blockade in front of everything you were planning and preparing, and to find all of your hopes and dreams now in ashes, is just about outside my grasp. To then pick yourself up, reinvent yourself, and start out in a whole new direction, is almost beyond my reach.
Yet, this is what Dan Pak did. And in the process he remained ever true to himself, unswerving in his convictions, and relentlessly faithful to his family. With all of the changes he had to make, the inner core of his being was never compromised.
And now this unassuming man has consented to share his experiences with his immediate, as well as his extended family of human beings. I count myself most privileged to be part of the same human races as Dan Pak. You will, too, when you read the journaling of this meek and modest fellow sojourner.
Larry G. Johnson
Roopville, Georgia and
Sterling, Alaska
About the Author
For lots of folks there is a point in time when their life is forever changed. June 25, 1950 was that infamous day for this author.
In the twilight days of his life, he wants to leave behind a brief record of how this one individual survived through the turbulent years. I am a foreign-born octogenarian and an autodidact due to the Korean War. A Generation Comes to America was my first book. In April 2012, I wrote the second book, Travelogue. It is about my spiritual journey. The Booktango published it in E-format. Born into extremely devout Buddhist family in South Korea and raised in the most traditional Confucian locality in the country, it was hard for me to break out of tight environment. But when it comes to spiritual matter involving me as an individual, I felt there should not be any compromise. I went to Christian church and my journey started from there. In May 2012, I wrote the third book, The Souvenirs. It was also in E-format published by Booktango. It is my legacy to succeeding generation of immigrants from my part of the world.