Planning for the new chapter began last September with a small group of Korean War Veterans. The chapter, which now has 29 registered members and another 13 who have been attending meetings, is recruiting new members from Winchester, Frederick and surrounding counties in Virginia and West Virginia. Anyone who has seen honorable military service within Korea and territorial waters and air space from Sept. 3, 1945 to the present, or any veteran who served outside of Korea from June 25, 1950 to Jan. 31, 1955, is eligible for regular membership. Associate memberships is available to others with a legitimate interest in the chapter.

The purpose of the chapter is to identify and honor the veterans of the Korean War era and their families and the families of those who lost loved ones in Korea; to remember the Prisoners of War and the Missing in Action as well as those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The chapter meets at 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2123 located on Route 11 South in Kernstown at 2123 Sulky Drive, Winchester. Info: contact Lewis Ewing at (540) 678-1787, e-mail lewewing@comcast.net, or Bill Scott by phone (540) 837-2179, e-mail billscott33@msn.com.

[Photo at right: Front row, from left: Lew Ebert, first vice commander of Shenandoah Valley Chapter-KWVA; Louis Dechert, president, National Korean War Veterans Association; Bill Scott, commander of Shenandoah Valley Chapter-KWVA; Lew Ewing, secretary-treasurer of Shenandoah Valley Chapter-KWVA.

Second row, from left: Shenandoah Valley Chapter KWVA members Donald Bane, Richard, Smith, Jack Kronenberger, Ray Fish, Buck Thompson.

Standing, from left: Advisers Bob Eader and Bob Miles of Chapter 142, Frederick M.D.; Shenandoah Valley Chapter-KWVA members Don Jones, Herbert Taylor, Leonard Laconia, Bud Lyons, Richard Clark, Charles Hoak, Billy Miller and Charles Quinnelly.]