Asian Forum and Celebration of Life

The Huntley family and the Peterson family started the day with registration at the Gwangju Asian Forum followed by the opening ceremonies and speeches.  Aunt Martha Huntley and mom, Barbara Peterson, each delivered a speech regarding their remembrances of the 5-18 Gwangju People's Democratic Uprising.

Both women spoke to their experiences at the time, including some background information of the day to day normality before the storm broke over Gwangju.  Both spoke to the atrocities both witnessed and discovered from other witnesses and both recalled hiding people in their houses.  They both were eloquent and delivered a passionate description of their experiences.  I was extremely proud of them.  Mom concluded her speech with her recollection of dad's last days.  When dad was struggling with alzheimer's he also began talking about "saving the children".  We are convinced that he was reliving the Gwangju Minju (People's Democratic Uprising) and expressing his fears for the students and children of Gwangju.

After lunch we were taken to the May Mothers' House.  The May Mothers is an organization composed of women whose spouses, children, and siblings were killed in the 5-18 Uprising.  These women are amazingly strong and dedicated to the cause of discovering all the truths of the May 18th Uprising.  Over the week that we were in Gwangju, it was absolutely apparent that the people of Gwangju and the government of Gwangju both love and respect these women for their sacrifices and for their ability to turn a tragedy into hard work for justice.

The Huntley family is also here in Gwangju to not only participate in the Asian Forum, but also to bury the ashes of their father, Reverend Charles Betts Huntley, in the Presbyterian Missionary Cemetary in Yang-nim Dong on the compound on which we all lived.  Later than evening we were
graciously invited to a celebration of life for Uncle Betts at their old house, now named "Huntley House".  Huntley house is now a house of 24 hour worship and prayer.  The wonderful people of the church and people that were part of the mission work of Uncle Betts and Aunt Martha put on quite a show.  We had an amazing Korean meal and then enjoyed music, Korean traditional drums with student performers, a Korean traditional fan dance and a powerpoint presentation of Uncle Betts and Aunt Martha's mission work.




One of the many highlights was hearing Jun Lee sing.  Jun is the son of our beloved Kwanshee and rediscovered old friend.  Jun, Michael, Jenny and I would all play together.  Jun is now the director of the Gwangju Philharmonic Chorus.  Jun and other members of the chorus sang "It Is Well With My Soul" and performed beautifully.  It brought tears to my eyes and was appreciated by the Huntley family as well as by my mom and myself.  Jun is the gentleman on the far right.  Thank you so much for this gift of music.







The art class from Speer Girls School next door presented mom and Aunt Martha with presents of art work.  As part of their history studies of 5-18 they studies the contributions of Uncle Betts and my dad.  We received a portrait of dad flashing a peace sign that we treasured.  We also received tote bags printed with a drawing portrait of mom and dad.

The idea that students in Gwangju are learning the history of their country and their city and that Arnold Peterson and Betts Huntley are part of that educational curriculum is an overwhelming honor for both of our families.