‘Cross-section of perspectives on war’
With every passing year, the numbness spreads farther down Harold Mulhausen’s fingers.
The 87-year-old Marine veteran has lost nearly all of the feeling in his fingertips, toes and ears — lingering symptoms of frostbite that serve as a reminder of the brutal Korean War battle at Chosin Reservoir in 1950.
“The temperatures got as low as 45 F below zero, and we didn’t have any housing, no protection or shelter; our clothes were inadequate; there were no fires and you couldn’t dig holes because the frozen ground was like concrete,” Mulhausen said. “We were just out there in the open for 20 or maybe 25 days being shot at. Those are things you don’t forget.”
Mulhausen is one of three Oklahoma veterans representing the Korean War, Vietnam War and Afghanistan War speaking at Norman’s annual Veterans Day ceremony Sunday. The event is scheduled for the day after Veterans Day to avoid overlapping with the University of Oklahoma’s home football game Saturday.
Norman resident and Army veteran Roger Gallagher said the city’s celebration traditionally features one speaker, but this year organizers are taking a different approach.
“We wanted a crosssection of perspectives on war and what’s changed over the years,” Gallagher said.
Retired combat aviator Paul Merchant flew nearly 1,200 combat hours in Vietnam and received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star among his many accolades, according to an email from the City of Norman.
Lt. Col. Scott Houck remains in active duty and has served two tours overseas, including returning this summer from a year in Kosovo as the U.S. Military Intelligence Analysis Control Element Chief in support of NATO Operation Joint Guardian, according to the Mustang Times.
“All of these wars are basically the same,” Mulhausen said. “Maybe one is in the mountains and another in the desert, but men cried and cursed the same as they did in all wars.”
Outnumbered by the Chinese 8-to-1, Mulhausen vividly recalls the sights, smells and sounds of the battle where the 1st Marine Division trekked 78 miles under enemy fire to rejoin American troops at the Sea of Japan — a division now remembered as the “Chosin Few.”
Despite the pain it causes, Mulhausen tells his story to honor the soldiers he fought alongside and heal old wounds.
“I want to tell my part, things I remember, things that happened to me,” Mulhausen said. “It helps.”
The ceremony kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial at Reaves Park, 2501 S Jenkins Ave., with military vehicles, a Black Hawk Helicopter and Oklahoma Highway Patrol helicopter on display. The Canadian River Cruisers will return with 20 to 25 classic cars, while Norman police will perform a 21-gun salute, a Boy Scout will play taps and “Amazing Grace,” and a North American T-6 “Texan” single-engined aircraft will perform a flyover.
Norman’s celebration is one of three Oklahoma events recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as “fitting tributes to America’s heroes” and a model for future observances.
For the second consecutive year, Norman’s celebration will not include a parade because of road construction on Lindsey Street, where organizers are hoping to relaunch the parade next year.
Organizers moved the parade to Main Street a few years ago, before road construction began, with the aim of attracting more spectators, Gallagher said. But the route was too long for high school bands carrying heavy instruments and older participants who had trouble walking more than two miles.
“It does take a little flavor away, but we have a lot of great things scheduled this year, and we think it will be even better next year when we can add the parade back in,” Gallagher said.
For more information, go to www.normanok. gov/content/normanveterans-committee-veterans-day-ceremony.