A military tradition that spans three generations

In the Lee family, three generations of soldiers have devoted their lives to the military and protecting the nation.
Lee Jae-ho, 54, a sergeant major in the Korean army, is at the center of this family. For the past 33 years, he has lived the life of a military officer.
His father, Lee Doo-seong, who passed away in 2003, was also a soldier.
The warrant officer volunteered in 1950 during the Korean War and served for 27 years afterward.
Officer Lee’s older brother, Lee Young-ho, 57, served the nation for 31 years in the Air Force before retiring in 2001 as a reserve warrant officer.
Currently, sergeant major Lee’s twin sons, Jung-min, 27, a first lieutenant, and Jong-min, a staff sergeant, are following their father’s footsteps.
Lee Im-geuk, Lee Young-ho’s son, has also decided to serve the military.
Jung-min, Jong-min, and Im-geuk have spent two, four and six years in the military respectively.
Jong-min joined the military as a private and was promoted to staff sergeant in 2005.
All told, the three generations of soldiers share a total of 103 years of military service.
As children, Jong-min and Jung-min were always proud of their father’s military uniform and tanned face.
This ultimately led them to decide to become soldiers.
For their father’s birthday later this month, the twins have organized a trip as a birthday present.
“We are proud of our father, who has devoted his life to the military for the last three decades,” the twins say.
Says Lee: “I will retire next year. It saddens me to think of leaving the military, but knowing my sons are serving and protecting this nation makes me feel proud.”
“I hope my sons and their sons in the future will continue to be honorable military men,” he adds.

By Kim Min-seok JoongAng Ilbo [estyle@joongang.co.kr]