The Korean War is no longer the forgotten war.

That's because veterans of the war fought from 1950 to 1953 are quickly becoming the most senior veterans.

As World War II veterans start to fade away into old age at

ever-increasing numbers, that leaves their comrades in arms, Korean War veterans their designated historical reinforcements.

Soon it will be Korean War veterans leading Memorial Day parades, firing 21-gun salutes over their comrades' graves and raising flags on Veterans Day. Every patriotic holiday will be their time to bask in the spotlight however late in life.

Last Saturday night 88 did their basking at the Austin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1216 headquarters.

It was the 51st reunion of Minnesota Army National Guard Company H, 135th Infantry, 47th Division.

Long before down-sizing, reorganization and restructuring created today's National Guard, the Austin army was filled with ordinary guys called upon to perform extraordinary feats of valor.

Larry Enright served three years, 1948-1951, and was a squad leader. Because of the Korean War, his military service was extended for a year.

"Today's military is better because they're better educated and they have more sophisticated weapons," Enright said.

"We were there because we had to be, but they are fighting because they want

to fight. The volunteer army makes it all different. We were just ordinary guys back then."

The Korean War was the first conflict in which the United Nations played a major military role. The United Nations called the June 25, 1950 invasion by Communist-ruled North Korean into South Korean a violation of international peace.

The Korean War ended July 27, 1953.

About a million South Koreans were killed and several million left homeless.

About 580,000 United Nations and South Korean troops and about 1.6 million Communist North Korean troops were killed, wounded or reported missing.

The war saw retreat by the Allies, a hero become a villain, General Douglas MacArthur, the flexing of military muscles by the former Soviet Union and China and the invention of a first-ever DMZ or demilitarized zone, the 38th parallel, that remains today.

Ordinary men, just like the circumstances during World War II, left their jobs, families, farms and hometowns, to fight war half-way around the world.

Mel and Mary Flicek organized the reunion for Company H with help from their friends at VFW Post No. 1216 after Post Commander Al Landherr gave his blessing.

John Wagner served as master of ceremonies.

The Saturday night reunion filled the combination dining and meeting hall. There were two flag cakes at the reception table, plus a display of scrapbooks, photographs and

newspaper clippings.

The last reunion of Company H was 12 years ago at the Austin Elks Club.

Joe Feeley entered the military Jan. 16, 1851. He was part of an artillery crew that also operated the recoiless rifle.

He also said the era called upon ordinary people. Feeley gave an extraordinary amount of his life to the military: three years of active duty and 27 years of National Guard service.

Ed Solberg was a cook, then a baker and family a mess sergeant in his 31-year military career in the National Guard.

"Today's soldier is more educated and has more sophisticated weapons than we did and I think the country's patriotism is just as good today as it was back then," he said.

Mel Flicek served nine years in the National Guard, including a stint in Korea. John Van House also served in the National Guard unit as well as Sal Espe. The latter had a distinguished 29-year

military career that included service during World War II.

Vern Wiebrand and Gordie Unverzagt swapped war stories. Wiebrand came all the way from Arizona for the reunion.

The veterans agreed, patriotism remains healthy in America, but disagreed on the need for a military draft. Wiebrand likes the concept of a volunteer army. Unverzagt believes a draft is not necessary.

Watching it all were Karl Nelson,

Cannon Falls, the first district's VFW commander, and Steve Van Bergen, Minneapolis, a VFW state vice commander.

Nelson said he was impressed with the camaraderie displayed by the veterans. "Our country owes them a lot," Nelson said.

Van Bergen said the bonds forged by the veterans when they were soldiers remain intact today.

Reunions prove it.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com