Posted on 11/16/2005 3:35:40 PM PST by SandRat
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq (Nov. 16, 2005) -- America has been a haven for people to build a path for fulfilling their dreams. The Marine Corps has given one Marine a stone to begin.
Lance Cpl. Joon-Hyun Ryu, 20, was born in Korea, but moved to the United States with his mother to grasp the opportunities available in America.
“My parents wanted me to have a better opportunity for education,” said Ryu, a refrigeration mechanic assigned to 8th Communication Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD). “I started learning the alphabet on the plane to America.”
Ryu, a reserve Marine, said he was shocked by the cultural differences, but was able to adjust to life in the United States. With the help of dedicated teachers, mentors and hard work, Ryu was able to learn English.
“Talking to people helped me and reading a lot of books,” he said.
Ryu said his interest in the military originated from his father’s service in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps.
“My father was a ROK Marine,” he said. “(He) used to be a logistics officer in the Korean military.”
Ryu decided to enlist in the Marine Corps after graduating high school in 2004 after some research on the United States military.
Joining the Corps was his way of paying tribute to his father, giving back to the United States and a way to gain life experience, he said.
Ryu, who is a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, uses martial arts as way to bridge his heritage with his military upbringing.
“I relate everything I do to Tae Kwon Do,” he said.
Ryu, who has been referred to as “the epitome of motivation” among his peers, has many goals for the future. He plans to take his Marine Corps and civilian careers to new levels and become an officer in the judge advocate; and, even further, a political leader.
In the end, he hopes to use his experience in the Corps to land a position in the U.S. Embassy in Korea.
“All this experience will pay in the end, and I will accomplish my ambitions,” he said.
Story of one tough Marine
Great story. Thanks for posting. Cpl. Ryu embodies the American dream.
DTogo Jr. is a 1st degree black belt in TKD.
FYI
Born Nov 9th 1918 1918 Choi Hong Hi (d.2002), one of the founders of the South Korean Army (1946), was born in North Korea. He developed the tae kwon do (to kick with the foot, to strike with the fist, art) martial arts style in the 1940s and named it in 1955.
BTTT
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