grandpa

came across another photo...


this is my grandfather. he moved from korea to florida to live with an uncle after my grandmother passed away. he passed away last month on october 14th. this was a visit i made b/c i felt like i needed to document him before he died. i don't really know what i accomplished photographically, but i'm thankful for the time i was there. with him, it's really less about the conversation, but more about being around him. the things i'd remember about him were really quirky - like sneaking candy and actifed into his pockets and keeping a stash in his room, breaking out into old korean folk songs in the car, and the ability to fall asleep anywhere (which i gladly inherited from him).

he lived a pretty extraordinary life. this is the obituary my mom wrote.

Hyun-Joon Shin

1915 – 2007

General Hyun-Joon Shin, age 92, of Niceville, Fla., passed away on October 14, 2007. After his beloved wife passed away in September 2001 he spent the last six years of his life under the loving care of his son and daughter-in-law. *edited*

General Shin was the founder and first Commandant of the Korean Marine Corps and served his country for 25 years leading the Korean Marine Corps before, during and after the Korean War. After retiring from the military, he dedicated 15 years to the Korean Foreign Service, serving his last post as the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Vatican.

General Shin is survived by two sons, four daughters and fourteen grandchildren. *edited*

General Shin will be flown to South Korea for a state funeral and burial at the National Cemetery in Daejeon, South Korea, together with the ashes of his beloved wife.