The Korean War was fought between North Korea and South Korea from 1950 to 1953. The war
began on 25 June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following clashes along the border
and rebellions in South Korea.
North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union while South Korea was supported by the
United States and allied countries. The fighting ended with an armistice on 27 July 1953.In 1910, Imperial
Japan annexed Korea, where it ruled for 35 years until its surrender at the end of World War II on 15
August 1945. The United States and the Soviet Union divided Korea along the 38th parallel into two
zones of occupation. The Soviets administered the northern zone, and the Americans administered
the southern zone. In 1948, because of Cold War tensions, the occupation zones became two sovereign
states. A communist state, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, was established in the north
under the totalitarian rule of Kim Il Sung, while a capitalist state, the Republic of Korea, was established
in the south under the autocratic leadership of Syngman Rhee. Both governments claimed to be the
sole legitimate government of all of Korea, and neither accepted the border as permanent. Since Puerto
Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, every Boricua had to be prepared to fight any war that
the United States was involved in. This is the story of my Grandfather Julio Pagan and my father Juan J.
Pagan. Together they went to Korea and fought for our country.
Norma Iris Pagan Morales was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Her parents, Juan Jose
Pagan Rodriguez, and Digna Morales Figueroa, now deceased, always helped her
with her projects as a writer and teaching career.
Norma had three siblings, Adelin Milagros Pagan Morales, Juan Jose Pagan Morales,
and Julio Manuel Pagan Morales. Julio Manuel Pagan Morales died on September
19, 1998. He was also known for his writing/composing skills.
On February 17, 2023, Adelin Milagros Pagan Morales, her sister, died in the City of New York.
Norma did all her academic studies in New York City, Puerto Rico, and Canada. She worked in the
City of New York Police Department where she oversaw the full investigation of every new civilian
and uniform member of the department.
As an Educator, she worked in New York City Bd. of Education, in Puerto Rico Bd. of Education as an
English teacher. She also worked for the Puerto Rico Army National as an English Teacher.
She has teaching certifications for English as a Second Language and Teaching English as a Foreign
Language. She also has teaching licenses to teach the following:
1. English Literature
2. Spanish Literature
3. Communication Skills in both English and Spanish
4. Office Procedures - These classes consisted of basic filing, writing memorandums, and full
company or organization reports.
5. Computers - Certified to teach Long Distance Learning
She has published 18 books: Proud of My Puerto Rican Bequest, Porque Soy Boricua? Poemas del Alma,
Art in Written Form, A Baffl ing Short Stories Collection, On Job in the Big Apple, Nature's Rage in the
Caribbean, You are the One, The Unfaithful, Poemas Tiernos, Two Strangers, Puerto Rican Soldiers Serving
with Pride, Two Strangers to name a few...
