They came from as far away as Hayward, Wis., and as close as a few blocks away.
Detroit Lakes, Audubon, Vergas and Park Rapids were all represented, as was Grand Rapids, Minn.
In all, there were about 12 Korean War veterans and 14 spouses or veterans' widows who gathered at the Detroit Lakes American Legion Post 15 on Sunday afternoon, to reminisce, socialize, and remember those who were no longer with them.
Though few of them actually served together overseas, the one thing all of the Korean War veterans had in common was that they had begun their wartime service right here in Detroit Lakes, where they were members of the 4.2 Heavy Mortar Company of the Army National Guard's 47th Viking Division.
Their former commander, Hershel Koenig of Detroit Lakes, drew applause when he summed up his experiences by noting, "I didn't enjoy it (serving in Korea) too much while I was there, but I'm glad I made the trip and helped win a war."
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Koenig spent nearly a full year in Korea during 1952, assigned to a mortar company with the 23rd infantry.
"I was the mortar company commander," he added. "I fought in two famous battles on 'Old Baldy' -- I was there twice."
'Old Baldy' was a hill in west central Korea where a series of five engagements between U.S. and Korean troops took place in 1952-53.
"We chased the Chinese off Old Baldy, then they turned around and chased us off," Koenig said. "A couple of months later, we did the same thing again."
Bill Westlie, who now makes his home in Vergas, talked about his days as an ammunitions sergeant in Korea, from August 1951 to August 1952.
Though the 75 men who belonged to the Detroit Lakes National Guard unit had gone through training together in Camp Rucker, Ala., by the time they got overseas, "they split us all up," Westlie noted.
His job during the war consisted of making daily ammunitions runs up to the front lines; fortunately, he didn't encounter too much in the way of enemy fire, Westlie said.
"It was pretty routine stuff," he added.
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Hayward, Wis., resident Al Lund, who won the unofficial prize for traveling the farthest distance to attend Sunday's 60th anniversary reunion, said he only became a member of the local National Guard unit a few days before they were deployed to Camp Rucker in 1951.
He and his two brothers ended up being assigned to the same unit.
"We were a heavy mortar company," he said.
By the time of his discharge in 1952, Lund had worked his way up to a squad leader.
Though he no longer lives in the area, Lund said he still has a brother who lives in the community, as well as a couple of nephews.
"I missed the last reunion, so I thought I'd better come and see some of my friends," he added.
Early in the evening, a reporter from the Fargo television station WDAY filmed a segment on the reunion for the evening news broadcast.
After a meal and some reminiscing, the festivities concluded with a reading of letters from those who were unable to attend the reunion, as well as a roll call of the 39 members of the company who are now deceased, followed by the playing of "Taps."
