Marine unites with long lost family

[thedrifter]

Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 200391753725
Story by Cpl. Matthew Barkalow



TAEGU, Republic of Korea (September 5, 2003) -- Some people go through their entire lives not knowing their family or their heritage.
On the other hand, some may have the opportunity of a lifetime to finally find their family. If all the pieces come together just right, those persons can finally find the answer to their questions.

Such is the case for Staff Sgt. Kirkland Cox, technical controller, Switch and Wire Platoon, 7th Communications Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, assigned to exercise Ulchi Focus Lens 2003 (UFL).

UFL is a combined/joint computer-simulated driven command post exercise conducted annually between the Republic of Korea and U.S. Armed Forces.

In 1965, Cox's father, Lilton Cox, was stationed in Inchon while serving in the U.S. Army. There he met a Korean national by the name of Un Sim Lee. After getting married and having children, the Cox's moved to the U.S. in 1968 for a stateside duty assignment.

Cox, a San Antonio, Tx. native, said his mother and her family lost contact with each other shortly after moving in 1968. He said he regretted not knowing his mother's side of the family and that he had been searching for them his entire life.

Upon his assignment to UFL 2003, he thought it would be a good chance to dig deeper into the background of his family.

According to Cox, he sought the help of a Korean co-worker in finding his family. He said they went to the local police station and looked up the family members' names on the police database. At first, he was told by the police that it was illegal to give out that type of information, that it would take three weeks to get results after filling out the required paperwork.

Cox explained he had to leave Korea in two weeks, so the police agreed to call the family members and let them know he was there.

One of his uncles, Kil Lam Lee, arranged for a meeting that next day between Cox and his other four uncles at the police station.

Cox, along with Moore and several other Marines, met with Cox's five uncles. Cox showed up with family photographs, stories and a dozen flowers. Through the use of a translator, Cox carried on conversations with his uncles for an emotional hour.

"I'd been searching for them my whole life. It was real emotional for me to meet them," Cox said.

After the initial meeting at the police station, they went to a local restaurant where they continued to tell stories about the family's past and inform each other on how family members were doing.

During the meal, Cox called his mother and father in San Antonio and let his mother talk to her brothers, whom she had not spoken to in more than 30 years. Her brothers requested that she and her husband come to Korea sometime to spend time with them, to which she agreed.

Cox also said he intends for his wife and children to come to Korea to visit family on a regular basis.

Cox took advantage of the opportunity he had in Korea to find his family. All the pieces came together and he found the family he has spent a lifetime searching for.


Sempers,

Roger

[icb1977]

I served with him in Camp Lejeune in the late 90's and have tried to hook up with him, but cannot seem to locate him. Any help?

Cpl. Noble