The Korean War Veteran - The Korea Veterans Association of Canada

The Korean War Veteran
Internet Journal for the World’s
Veterans of the Korean War
July 27, 2014
KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY
With a few days' prelude by Korea’s Pumassi Group
Korean War Veterans Day Commemorative
Ceremony and March for Peace and Freedom
Organized by the Korean War Commemorative Alliance, the Korean War Veterans
Day Commemorative Ceremony and March for Peace and Freedom was held in the
Burnaby suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 26, marking the 61
anniversary of the July 27, 1953 signing of the armistice that ended the Korean
War.
The Veterans marched on to the Ambassador for Peace Memorial where many
officials and dedicated citizens awaited them to commemorate those who fell in the
Korean War, and all who served. Many Republic of Korea Veterans participated
along with their Canadian comrades.
Members of consulates representing the nations of Columbia, the Netherlands, the
Philippines, Republic of Korea and the United States were in attendance and
placed wreaths at the Memorial. The Canadian Government was represented by
Senator Yonah Martin, Government Deputy Leader in the Canadian Senate, who
also placed a wreath.
Prior to the ceremonies on July 27 Senator Martin and MP Barry Devolin had
assisted the Human Harmony Organization Pumassi in a Thank You to Canada
visit to Canada, to entertain and pay respects to veterans in long term care facilities.
Among them were 22 Korean students who had written letters of thanks to Korean
War Veterans in a program sponsored by the Pumassi Group (Pumassi means a
community coming together).
A few days before the ceremony they went to the George Derby Centre and
expressed their thanks to resident veterans, including the reading of letters of
thanks, and in what they call an Act of Gratitude, they bathed some of the veterans’
feet.
From Burnaby they went on to Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto/Brampton. They
visited veterans and performed for them at the Perley and Rideau veterans hospital
in Ottawa and the Sunnybrook Veterans Health Centre in Toronto. They also
participated in the July 27 Korean War Veterans Armistice Day ceremonies at the
Korea War Veterans National Wall of Remembrance in Brampton.
In days of old – six decades ago – these warriors of land and sea and sky might
have shoved the concrete pillars out of their way, or eaten them up! – and now,
in peace, they march through them, piped onto the magnificent Ambassador
of Peace Korean War Veterans Memorial, which was dedicated and
Consecrated in Burnaby, a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia.
The Ambassador for Peace monument with all of the standards displayed,
after wreaths have been placed in memory of Canada and British Columbia’s
Korean War Fallen. The flags represent the six nations that sent armed forces
to defend Korea during the war.
A prayer is said for the fallen and for continued peace and a minute of silence
is observed at a poignant moment in the moving ceremony.
An honour guard composed of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and City
of Burnaby Police Service constables, stands in respectful silence during the
ceremony.
Korean children and Canadian children of Korean descent place flowers and
say a prayer at the altar and explanatory tablet at the Ambassador for Peace
memorial.
Participating veterans of the Korean War gather in front of the Ambassador
for Peace monument after the services.
A few days before the July 26 Korean War Veterans Day Commemorative
Ceremony and March for Peace and Freedom Senator Yonah Martin and the
Human Harmony Organization Pumassi from Korea visited veterans at the
George Derby Center in Burnaby and provided them with marvelous tribute
and entertainment. Senator Martin is seen addressing the veterans to set the
stage for the special visit.
A soloist sings to the veterans in Korea, the haunting folk song, Arirang,
which tells how the singer’s lover “will not be able to make one step” if he
should turn to leave her.
Seong-hoon Jeon, oldest student among the Pumassi group addresses the
veterans.
Members of visiting Korean Pusammi group wash feet of three Korean War
Veterans in an extreme Act of Gratitude, which they base upon Our Lord
Jesus bathing the feet of His Disciples in respect and humility. They
performed the same Act of Gratitude when they later visited hospitalized
veterans in the Perley & Rideau Veterans Health Care Center in Ottawa and
the Sunnybrook Veterans Health Center in Toronto.
Farewell photo is taken of the Pumassi group and the veterans who are
resident at the George Derby Centre in Burnaby, British Columbia
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA TO MARK THE
SECOND ANNUAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS DAY
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to mark the second
annual Korean War Veterans Day:
“Today, we honour the more than 26,000 Canadians who fought to defend the freedom
of the people of Korea during the Korean War, as well as the approximately 7000
Canadians who continued to serve there to deter further aggression in the years
following the Armistice.
“These brave members of the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the
Royal Canadian Navy played an important role, along with Commonwealth and other
allied troops, in defending the Republic of Korea against Communist aggression.
“Our troops fought in difficult conditions – from the bitter cold of the Korean winters to
the scorching heat of its summers – but they persevered.
“Places like Kapyong, Chail-li and Hill 355 are replete with stories of Canadian blood,
sweat and valour. At the Battle of Kapyong, Canadians won widespread recognition
holding Hill 677 against seemingly insurmountable odds. Wave upon wave of enemy
troops attacked the heavily outnumbered and exhausted Canadians, but they held
strong in the face of great adversity to help prevent a potentially devastating defeat for
the South Korean and allied forces. For their gallant stand, the 2nd Battalion of Princess
Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry received the United States Presidential Unit Citation
and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.
“2014 also marks the 100th anniversary of the PPCLI and the Royal 22nd Regiment (the
Van Doos), who fought valiantly in Korea.
“The Canadian sacrifices were great during the Korean War, with more than 1,500
casualties, including 516 who gave their lives. Many lie buried in Korean soil.
“I encourage Canadians to pause today to remember those brave Canadians who
served in the Korean War and to learn more about this amazing part of our history
which both we and the Korean people continue to honour.”
Déclaration
DÉCLARATION DU PREMIER MINISTRE DU CANADA SOULIGNANT
LA DEUXIÈME JOURNÉE ANNUELLE DES VÉTÉRANS DE LA
GUERRE DE CORÉE
Le Premier ministre Stephen Harper a fait aujourd’hui la déclaration suivante afin de
souligner la deuxième Journée annuelle des vétérans de la guerre de Corée :
« Aujourd’hui, nous rendons hommage à plus de 26 000 Canadiens qui ont combattu
pour défendre la liberté de la population coréenne durant la guerre de Corée, de même
que les quelque 7 000 Canadiens qui ont continué de servir dans ce pays afin de
dissuader toute autre agression dans les années qui ont suivi l’armistice.
« Ces courageux membres de l’Armée canadienne, de l’Aviation royale du Canada et
de la Marine royale canadienne ont joué un rôle important, de pair avec des troupes du
Commonwealth et d’autres forces alliées, dans la défense de la République de Corée
contre l’agression communiste.
« Nos troupes ont combattu dans des conditions difficiles – dans le froid mordant de
l’hiver coréen comme dans la chaleur accablante de l’été –, mais elles ont persévéré.
« Des endroits comme Kapyong, Chail-li et la colline 355 regorgent de récits relatant le
sang, la sueur et le courage des Canadiens. À la bataille de Kapyong, les Canadiens se
sont acquis une reconnaissance générale en gardant la colline 677 en dépit d’obstacles
qui semblaient insurmontables. Vague après vague de troupes ennemies ont attaqué
les Canadiens, qui étaient épuisés et de loin inférieurs en nombre, mais ces derniers
ont tenu bon en face de l’adversité et ont ainsi contribué à prévenir une défaite
potentiellement dévastatrice pour les forces sud-coréennes et alliées. En
reconnaissance de sa résistance opiniâtre, le 2e bataillon du Princess Patricia's
Canadian Light Infantry s’est vu décerner la citation d’unité du Président des États-Unis
et la citation d’unité du Président de la République de Corée.
« L’année 2014 marque également le 100e anniversaire du PPCLI et du Royal 22e
Régiment (les « Van Doos »), qui ont vaillamment combattu en Corée.
« Les Canadiens ont consenti d’immenses sacrifices durant la guerre de Corée. En effet,
ils ont subi 1 500 pertes, dont 516 militaires morts au combat. Un bon nombre d’entre
eux reposent en sol coréen.
« J’encourage les Canadiens et Canadiennes à prendre un moment aujourd’hui pour se
souvenir de ces courageux Canadiens qui ont servi durant la guerre de Corée et pour
en apprendre davantage au sujet de cet incroyable chapitre de notre histoire dont nous
et la population coréenne continuons d’honorer la mémoire. »