Since 1953 a tense cease-fire has existed along the 38th Parallel between North and South Korea. The easing tensions help our servicemen and women along the border lead fairly normal military lives with one exception. They are still not allowed to bring their families along for their tour of duty. General B. B. Bell wants Congress to allow military families into South Korea.
“Certainly since the end of the Cold War 18 years ago, keeping our families separated from their service members in a modern, advanced Republic of Korea makes no sense.”
The situation in Korea has settled to the point where it resembles Cold War Europe. Elaine Donnelly of the Center for Military Readiness says it’s time the policies reflect that.
“We have to improve the balance between the needs of the military, the careers of individuals and the needs of children. Right now the needs of children, far too often, are given the lowest priority.”
Air Force Chaplain George Youstra says the military does its best to keep a soldier’s head in the battle while his heart yearns for home.
“I know that when I was in Iraq this past year we did a marriage and family class for the whole time we were deployed to help strengthen families. So the military puts a lot of emphasis into that.”
Most of General Bell’s audience on The Hill seems sympathetic, but he says there are still a few that need convincing.
“There are still some in Congress who think that having families over in the Republic of Korea is not something that we should pursue right now.”
There aren’t many soldiers who would agree.
