The Korean War Veteran - The Korea Veterans Association of Canada
Transcription
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. »