The Chosin Few: Daniel Sharkey, NJ President

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The press release below was published in The Ocean Star in Ocean County, New Jersey on May 13th, 2005. Running the Memorial Day Parade that year turned into a very personal and remarkable experience which enhanced my life because it bolstered my historic perspective and my knowledge about a few of my hometown heroes - including my Uncle Dan Sharkey and my neighbor & friend, former Pt. Pleasant Mayor Pete Marone.

Uncle Dan is my mother's brother and back in 2005, he had been my uncle for 47 years. Like many of the men and women of the Greatest Generation, he rarely talked about the time spent in the Korean War and had never discussed his role in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir with our family. Think about it: a local Memorial Day Parade created a vehicle for him to share and for us to learn about his shocking first hand experiences 55 years years ago.

In 2010, Uncle Dan was elected President of the NJ Chapter of the Chosin Few. Below is his story...


Press Release: Point Boro to honor the Chosin Few

Point Pleasant's Fourth Annual
Parade Committee has announced
that the 2005 Memorial Day Parade
is scheduled for Sunday, May 29 at
1 p.m. on Bridge Avenue.
There will be a program and
wreath-laying ceremony at the
Community Park immediately following
the parade. Music will be
provided by students in grades five
through 12 from all four Point
Pleasant Borough schools.

Five Grand Marshals have been
selected to highlight the diverse
experiences and accomplishments
of America's military personnel and
veterans throughout the world. In a
multi-week effort leading up to
Memorial Day, the committee
wants to share the details of the historic
events and the accomplishments
of this years' honorees.

This week, the committee is proud to
profile Grand Marshal No. 1 - the
survivors of the "Heroic Ordeal" of
the Korean War called the "Chosin
Reservoir Campaign."
The parade committee believes
that etched in the experiences and
faces of the members of the
"Chosin Few" is a truth worth
repeating this Memorial Day — the
riveting reality of how approximately
20,000 allied troops [17,000
of them men of the 1st Marine
Division] were attacked by 120,000
Communist Chinese forces during
sub-zero winter conditions is one of
the great examples of bravery and
teamwork in our time.

Though incredibly outnumbered in the
mountains of North Korea, near the
Chinese boarder in November and
December 1950, they successfully
destroyed and/or effectively disabled
all seven Chinese divisions
that were holding our American-led
U.N. forces at the reservoir. Against
all odds, they escorted 91,000
North Korean refugees to freedom
— a liberating act that successfully
repelled communism in the worst
of conditions.

Mayor Martin Konkus and the
council will salute with reverence
these distinguished survivors and
the sacrifices of their comrades,
especially those who gave their
lives in numbers unparalleled in our
history.

“On Sunday, May 29, we will
pause at the Community Park and
remember the 15,000 allied casualties,
2,500 killed in action, 5,000
wounded in action, and the 7,500
who suffered severe frostbite and
cold injuries while fighting what
historians have called one of the
‘most savage battles in modern
warfare,’” said committee representative
Tish Ferguson.

“The parade committee hopes
the citizens of Point Pleasant and in
the surrounding communities will
join this solemn but beautiful occasion
to honor these brave men
whose life experiences remind us
that ‘Freedom is not free,’” she
added.

While accepting the Grand
Marshal invitation on behalf of the
"Chosin Few," New Jersey Chapter
President Michael Sheehan of
Manasquan explained the meaning
of this survivor group in this way,
"Point Pleasant is really honoring
those we left behind — Those were
the "Chosin" and we, the survivors,
are the "Chosin Few".

Other local residents who are
survivors of this incredible battle
will join Mr. Sheehan at the parade.
Among those who are confirmed to
participate are former mayor and
past grand marshal - Peter Marone
[US Army -3rd Infantry Division's
50th Anti-Aircraft Artillery
Battalion] of Point Pleasant and
Dan Sharkey [USMC - 1st Marine
Division] of Point Pleasant Beach
and Dover Township. All members of the "Chosin
Few" are welcome to participate.

Contact Chosinfewnj@aol.com or
Tish Ferguson, Parade Committee
Member at (732) 714-8483.

What's your neighbor or uncle's story? Take the time to ask them!

Best regards,
TishTrek