It was a perfect morning and a perfect setting to remember those in uniform who serve and have served their nation. It was the Veterans Day observance held Nov. 7 at the new Veterans Memorial Park at Falcon Field in Peachtree City.

Approximately 150 attended the solemn observance, with colors flying everywhere, a mounted F16-A Fighting Falcon overhead in the background, the memories of their own military service by some and the appreciation of that service by everyone.

Officiating at the observance was Booth Middle School Principal and retired Army officer Ted Lombard. The colors were presented by cadets from the Falcon Field Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron-116 with scouts from Troop 75 leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. And offering song selections at the beginning and end of the event was 14-year-old Peachtree City recording artist Lindee Link.

The speaker at the event was Fayetteville resident Col. Ben Malcom (U.S. Army, Ret.) who authored the book “White Tigers: My secret war in North Korea.”

Serving on a wide-ranging number of committees serving the needs of veterans, Malcom recounted the build-up to and the history of the Korean War and his participation in East Asia before and during the war.

It was a history that went unreported for decades, Malcom said. But that history can now be told, he added, since the information is now declassified.

Covering a large volume of material in a short timeframe, Malcom recounted U.S. behind the scene efforts before and during the war, in some of which he had direct involvement. Malcom spoke of the machinations of the Russians and North Koreans and the business of the Central Intelligence Agency that bought 400 planes and operated several commercial airline businesses, including Southern Air out of Atlanta.

During his short presentation Malcom also reminded the audience of North Korea’s ongoing involvement on the world scene, including in currency counterfeiting, drug production and selling missile technology.