Korean War veterans were members of the Silent Generation. Squeezed between World War II veterans and the Vietnam War’s warriors and protesters, the Silent Generation has been neglected, especially in film, television and literature. As VFW magazine once noted: “America’s prime transmitter of cultural ‘values’ has ignored the 1.8 million Americans who served in the 1950-53 war.”

One Spokane Valley Korean War veteran doesn’t want to be ignored. John A. “Jack” Pring Jr. is outraged that the Korean War National Museum hasn’t materialized, despite a decade of donations from Korean War veterans. As Spokesman-Review reporter Bill Morlin reported Sunday, the organization has raised $6 million since 1998 but had only $147,737 in assets in its most recent report to the IRS. Pring is doggedly trying to find out why.

“I’m not going to let it drop,” Pring, 77, said. “It’s just that simple.”

The museum’s executive director, Larry Sassorossi, of Highland Park, Ill., denies any wrongdoing, arguing that it takes money to raise money. But Pring is not accepting that answer. His strategy for uncovering the truth provides an example to others researching charitable organizations.

“ Trust your instincts. Pring grew suspicious when he kept receiving solicitation letters. He knew the museum project had been in the works for years. Shouldn’t there be something to show for it? His curiosity about the lack of progress led him to important information about the museum’s finances.

“ Follow the money. The IRS requires charitable groups to file Form 990, listing revenues and expenditures. An organization should spend no more than 25 percent on fundraising, marketing and overhead. The rest should go for the actual charitable endeavor. If that equation is out of whack, beware.

“ Check it out. Charity Navigator has evaluated the financial health of more than 5,000 charitable organizations. Better Business Bureaus sometimes have information on non-performing charities. Internet research will often reveal whether donors have misgivings about organizations.

“ Speak out. The people behind the museum project might have legitimate reasons for spending so much on so little. But until Pring got involved, not much investigating was going on. Kudos to one member of the Silent Generation who asked the tough questions, who refused to remain silent.