SLO County Korean War veterans gather to share memories on anniversary of armistice

Jim Quam was 19-year-old Marine when the guns went silent in Korea, an armistice that was reached 70 years ago on July 27, 1953.

“I remember the day the firing stopped,” Quam said at a gathering of San Luis Obispo County veterans in honor of the anniversary.

“I remember I was talking to a Seebee (Naval construction force). He says, ‘Come on over and we’ll have a drink,’” Quam said, laughing, “So I did.”

A peace treaty was never signed and Korea is still the focus of diplomatic efforts and unsettled incidents.

On Thursday, 53 Korean War veterans turned out to share memories at the Veterans Memorial Building in San Luis Obispo.

The event was organized by the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum and featured coffee and baked goods provided by Coastal Peaks and a photo booth operated by by Matt Sansone, a local photographer and Realtor.

Quam got a knowing laugh from the crowd when he said, “I’m 89 years old, and Korea is still the coldest place I’ve ever been.”

Sarah Twisselman, museum communications and programs volunteer, said the gathering like this one are among the museum’s key functions.

“So this is what we do,” she said. “We are a Veterans Museum that has historical artifacts on display (and) permanent exhibits, but we also have education programs and we create community for our local veterans. We honor them and remember them, but we also create a community for them to connect.”

Quam appreciated the gathering.

“It was well done,” he said. “It was enjoyable.”