Diary Entry - 11/13/1983
Key Facts
President Reagan visits the De-Militarized Zone separating North and South Korea.
President Reagan attends a martial arts demonstration by South Korean soldiers at their base along the De-Militarized Zone.
My day at the D.M.Z. We helicoptered into Camp Liberty Bell for an open air church service. We were less than a mile from No. Korean guns. The choir was made up of little Korean orphan girls. Our G.I.’s support & maintain the orphanage. After service we went through the gate into the actual zone—a white flag flying on our car. We went up onto a 500 foot promontory to Post Guard Collier. I met a patrol just going out. The zone is patrolled night & day. We could hear the N.K. loud speakers spewing their propaganda. After touring the bunker etc. we returned to Camp Liberty Bell where I addressed the troops. Then into the Mess to lunch with them. I’ve never been so proud. These men are the closest to an enemy of any Am. forces but their morale, their esprit de corps is unbelievable. Finally we drove to a R.O.K. base to witness a parade & display by 120 of their men—all black belt Karate. They climaxed by each one of them breaking a stack of 15 roof tiles with his head & shoulders. Back to a worried Nancy for a little nap. I learned later that U.S. & Korean artillery was on alert to fire a barrage if the N.K.’s tried anything funny. Helicopter gun ships were standing by. At 6 P.M. went back to Blue House for final meeting between our 2 teams. Then back to the house for dinner & a massage.
