Mao's Prey by Jeannette F. Ford

Author:Jeannette F. Ford [Ford, Jeannette F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Social Science, Regional Studies
ISBN: 9780429791451
Google: G0NvDwAAQBAJ
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2018-09-13T00:00:00+00:00

RESIST AMERICA-AID KOREA CAMPAIGN

In 1951, Chen recalled, the United Nations army was about to cross the Yalu River and the situation was critical. On October 25, all democratic parties of China, headed by the Communist Party, signed a united declaration announcing that Volunteers to North Korea would be dispatched in support of General Kim II Sun.

The first ‘Comfort Team’,44 comprised of all democratic parties, people’s organizations and Volunteer family representatives, went to North Korea. From October 16 to November 2, 1952, I was appointed a delegate in a similarly composed group and we, as did the group before us, brought along teams of musicians, dramatists, acrobats, magicians and other artists to entertain the Volunteers. We numbered a little over 1,000 people, and were led by famous actors.45 It was the most unforgettable half month in my life.

On the Korean fields I met quite a number of my former St. John’s University students. Proficient in English, most of them worked as interpreters in prisoner of war camps. A few pupils told me of the privations and hardships encountered when they crossed the Yalu River. They graduated from another experience of far more immense dimensions.

One of our duties was to pay respect to local Koreans and the People’s Army of Chosen. We also visited many local women’s societies. Although southern aggression had impoverished them, the poorly dressed Korean children were lovely. One group of little girls performed for us wearing silk dresses, silk made from U.S. parachutes!

The Chinese Volunteers were really happy to see folks from back home. We talked to them of recent production, education and cultural progress in China, while they related valiant stories and fruits of victory. We met ever so many war heroes and model soldiers, many who asked us to sign their notebooks.

I saw on one of the model soldier’s notebooks a newspaper clipping showing Chairman Mao on the Tian An Men platform, holding hands with a boy and girl wearing red scarves. This fellow pasted pictures of his son and daughter alongside, making four children under Mao’s wing.

The owner of that notebook was thinking of the children of China, including his precious ones, all cherished by the Great Chairman. I can never forget the night we bid farewell to a host Korean family, their friendly faced silhouetted in the door frame, candles in hand, gently waving their hands goodbye. I can still see the happy, honest faces of Volunteers, brave, ingenious and ever loyal to China.

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