PORT ANGELES — Gerald Rettela, president of the Olympic Peninsula chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association, has received the Award of Merit from the Korea Veterans Association of Victoria.
Rettela, 75, who lives east of Port Angeles, received the award for “outstanding service and unselfish assistance rendered to the Korea Veterans Association Unit 27,” Clallam County Veterans Coordinator Tammy Sullenger said this week.
Rettela was given the award on May 8.
Five years ago, Rettela sought the assistance of Canada’s 100-member Unit 27 to form an Olympic Peninsula chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association.
“I needed some help,” Rettela recalled. “The closest chapter next to me was in Canada. They took it upon themselves to nurse me through the whole ordeal.”
After establishing the Olympic Peninsula chapter, Rettela has returned the favor to his Canadian counterparts.
He marches in Canada’s tribute to Queen Victoria’s birthday with other members of the 40-member Olympic Peninsula chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association and helps fill the ranks in Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry Regiment.
As the only American member of Canada’s Unit 27, Rettela acts as a liaison between the United States and Canada.
“To be singled out to receive this award was quite an honor,” said Rettela, who served in the U.S. Army.
‘Floored’ by award
“I wasn’t expecting it at all. I was absolutely floored by receiving it.”
Earlier this spring, Unit 27 designated a book — Patrick O’Brian’s 1973 historical novel HMS Surprise — in Rettela’s honor.
The books circulating in Victoria’s public library system have a tribute to Rettela printed on their inside covers.
In Clallam County, Rettela helped establish the Korean War Memorial Highway (state Highways 113 and 112) in 2008, the Vietnam Memorial Highway (state Highway 112) in 2009 and the Desert Storm/ Desert Shield Memorial Highway (state Highway 110) in 2010.
John Bishop, President of the Pacific Canadian Region of the Korean Veterans Association, presented Rettela with the award.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.