DVIDS – News – Living Evidence of US Military Medical Activity – Korean History Retires after 55 Years of Service

CAMP HUMPHREYS, SOUTH KOREA – “We call him ‘Uncle Sim’ …”

Mr. Sim, Neung-Sup is a Certified Practical Nurse (CNA) with over half a century of successful nursing work experience. He spent this time devoting himself to the service of American troops in South Korea.

Mr. Sim joined the 121st US Army Evacuation Hospital at Camp Market, Bupyeong, South Korea, in 1967. After completing years of military service in the South Korean Army (ROKA), he sought a job that would help him support his family and contribute to those who serve to defend the freedom of South Korea. This is exactly what Mr. Sim discovered while working as an NCA for the US forces’ main military medical facility in Korea. Throughout his stay in the hospital, he gained first-hand experiences and fond memories of serving America’s medical personnel and witnessed the growth of the organization.

Mr. Sim, Neung-Sup recently celebrated the end of his 55 years of service with a retirement ceremony on November 24, 2021. He has worked most of his career in the emergency department where he has experienced and helped the heyday of the US military. Emergency care capacity of the medical service.

“I have experienced a lot and created so many memories while working in this organization… the names have changed many times… from the 121st Evacuation Hospital to the 121st General Hospital to the 121st Combat Support Hospital to the Brian Allgood Army Community Hospital in Yongsan, and now Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital in Camp Humphreys. However, what we do inside the hospital never changes; taking care of soldiers and their families, which has become my calling, ”said Sim.

“The most memorable thing in my career is without a doubt the people; the soldiers I had helped treat and treat while working in the emergency department… I’m now an eighty-year-old man, but somehow I still clearly remember those grateful faces leaving hospital after receiving treatment.

Sim also shared the thoughts and memories of countless soldiers and personnel with whom he had worked side by side for nearly 55 years; those who supported him through difficult times and the leaders who gave him a sense of inclusion in the organization.

“I have worked with countless young nurses throughout my career and their passion for caring for patients reminds me of the same young man I was. I started calling them ‘young man / woman’ and they started calling me ‘Uncle Sim’, ”Mr. Sim said with a smile.

“I have had the pleasure of working with ‘Uncle Sim’ over the past six months I have been here. He is always quick to offer help and has treated us all like his family. I admire not only his compassionate heart for all around him, but also his dedication and lifelong service to this hospital, ”said Captain Dan Quizio, a registered nurse working in the Medical Surgery Unit.

By attending Mr. Sim’s retirement ceremony, the hospital command team showed their respect and sincere gratitude for their dedication to the organization, which is a prime example of the strong and enduring partnership. between the ROK and the United States since the Korean War.

“The Command Sergeant Major and I are truly in awe of Mr. Sim who has dedicated his life to serving the soldiers and their families of the American forces in the Republic of Korea,” said Colonel Huy Luu, commander of the hospital. .

“His service to the organization is such an inspiration to all of us and he will be truly missed by all of us.”

The command team presented a Civil Service Commendation Medal and other awards to show appreciation to Mr. Sim during the ceremony. When asked, Uncle Sim shared his plan for life after retirement.

“I will regret seeing everyone at work every morning because they are now part of my life. I’m going to try to enjoy the little things in life and learn to exercise, ”Sim shared during her retirement ceremony.

Since the Korean War in 1950, the US military has provided medical care to US forces on the Korean Peninsula. Today this historic presence continues with the 549th Hospital Center and BDAACH. The Humphreys U.S. Army Garrison Camp Hospital began full patient services on November 15, 2019 after moving from the U.S. Army Garrison to Yongsan.