During our 2010 Reunion in Tucson the Association presented a charitable gift to Netcom at Fort Huachuca, to Fort Gordon and to the 1st Signal Brigade in Korea. These gifts were to be passed on to each unit's charity of choice.
We have received confirmation of these charitable contributions as shown below.
Blind school sees a brighter future with the help of 1st Signal Brigade Association By Spc. Adam Carl Blazak, 1st Signal Brigade PAOWhen alumni from 1st Signal Brigade wanted to help out a charitable organization in the area, a school for the blind and disabled immediately came to mind.The Hanbit School for the Blind received a 2 million won ($1,766) check from the 1st Signal Brigade Association during a ceremony held at the school's auditorium, Oct. 18.
"We are very excited about being here", were the resonating words from Col. Mark A. Elliott, commander, 1st Signal Brigade, who presented the large, ceremonial check on behalf of his unit's association to Yang Soo Kim, a former pupil of the school now turned school president and director of the Hanbit Foundation.
After the check was presented, students from the school's musical performance groups performed four songs as a token of appreciation to the Army unit.
A chorus of singers, performers and band members roused the audience with modern renditions of Korean traditional songs.Song after song, the school demonstrated its musical capabilities in an awe-inspiring fashion.
Pulling no punches, the school unleashed classical baritone singer Jung Jun Kim for the last song who surprised many in the audience with his commanding vocal talent.
"The [donated] money will fund the performance group trip to Washington, D.C., next year",Kim said.
The group hopes to perform a musical concert at the White House for President Barack Obama at that time.
"The 1st Signal Brigade has supported us in the past, but we want to be able to give back" Kim said. "This way, we can give back to the United States"."The 1st Signal Brigade has been fostering a positive, working relationship with the school since the brigade's arrival in South Korea from Vietnam", said Larry Schumann, a 1st Signal Brigade alumnus sitting on the board of directors for the association.
In fact, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the school's inception. One faculty member of the school has worked hand-in-hand with the brigade since the early 70's.
Blind children doing a Korean dance Check presentation Blind Trumpet player
