The Korean War Veteran Internet Journal for the World s Veterans of the Korean War August 18, 2013

Transcription

1 The Korean War Veteran Internet Journal for the World s Veterans of the Korean War August 18, 2013 Minister Julian Fantino attends Warriors Day parade in Toronto The Honourable Julian Fantino, Canada s Minister of Veterans Affairs, attended the 92nd annual Warriors' Day Parade in Toronto to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice and the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of York that was fought in the War of The Warriors' Day Parade is an important Canadian tradition that honours our Veterans and the brave men and women in uniform who continue to serve our country today, said Minister Fantino. Thanks to the Parade Council,

2 Torontonians and all Canadians have been honouring our Veterans and service men and women since This year, we remember especially Canada's Veterans who served in the Korean War. It's an honour to pay tribute to their sacrifices and achievements, and to celebrate our rich military history and vibrant Canadian culture at this very important event." The Warriors' Day Parade is held each year as part of the Canadian National Exhibition. The annual event stands to remind Canadians of the contributions made by Canadian Armed Forces personnel in protecting Canadian values and freedoms and in assisting other nations around the world. Korean War Veterans are participating in fewer and fewer numbers, a natural result of attrition from aging, but it is hoped that more will rally to the event in 2014 and beyond. Minister Fantino has been extremely and admirably busy since taking the reins as the new Minister of Veterans Affairs last month. Within days of his appointment he was in Korea, leading the official delegation and a revisit group of 10 Canadian veterans in the Korean Government s 60th Commemoration of the Korean War Armistice ceremonies. Minister Fantino met in Korea with the Korean host, Minister Park Sung Choon of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and with Her Excellency Madame Park Geun-hye, the President of the Republic of Korea. He also officiated at the unveiling of a new monument at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul. It is dedicated to Canadians who served in Korea during the war and on post armistice defence duty, and especially to those who fell in both periods.

3 Shown removing veil from Canadian memorial that is situated in the Sunken Gardens at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul are (left) Lieutenant General (Retired) Sun Young-jae, Director of the War Memorial of Korea, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Sung Choon, Minister Julian Fantino, veteran Donald Gallant, Senator Yonah Martin and veteran Gerald Lowes.

4 The attractive black granite monument bears the highly recognizable Maple Leaf, engraved with the Veterans Affairs Canada official symbol for the Year of the Korean War Veteran/60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice that ended the Korean War. While in Korea, Minister Fantino also met with veterans affairs ministers from Australia and France and defence ministers from several other nations. He proposed a future open ended joint meeting among veterans affairs ministers at which they could present their thoughts on ways to improve services to all veterans, based upon practices in their own nations as well as unfettered thoughts on better ways to get the job done. He then flew from Korea in several legs to Sicily, to participate in ceremonies honouring Canadians who had served in the campaign in Sicily, in There he visited the Agira Canadian War Cemetery where 490 of the estimated 562 Canadians who fell in the Sicily campaign are buried. Of the 490 servicemen buried at Agira, 477 fell serving with the Canadian Army soldiers and 13 were airmen with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Among them are six who could not be identified and are buried as unknown soldiers.

5 Additionally, others listed as missing are buried in unmarked graves somewhere in Sicily and 58 Canadians were lost at sea when their ships were attacked by enemy aircraft and submarines en route to Sicily. Minister Fantino later went to Catania to participate in the unveiling of a new permanent exhibit at the Museo dello Sbarco military museum that commemorates the Canadians who served in the Sicily campaign. It is noteworthy that as well as participating in the Warriors Day parade in Toronto on Saturday, August 17, Minister Fantino flew to Winnipeg the same day, where he met with delegates attending the national convention of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association. Though very few are with us today, nearly 2,000 soldiers of the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the Royal Rifles of Canada landed in Hong Kong in November, 1941 as part of the defending Commonwealth garrison. They were encircled by large Japanese land forces and devastated by attacks from enemy aircraft and shelling from Japanese warships off the coast. Of those who served, 290 fell in action in Hong Kong and 493 were wounded in action. All survivors were imprisoned by the Japanese until Japan was defeated and surrendered in mid-august, Of the 1,950 Canadians who had sailed from Vancouver, more than 520 never returned. Of them, 228 have no known graves. It was another time and a time of other governments and other veterans affairs people, and the much suffering Hong Kong veterans had to fight for many years for recompense for their brutal incarceration for them and their families. Many had returned to Canada in deplorable poor health and suffered for the rest of their lives. Such will never happen under the watch of Julian Fantino, he has avowed. All of Canada s veterans will be honoured and receive good and adequate support for their noble service and sacrifice, he has promised. Since becoming Canada s Minister of Veterans Affairs I have stood alongside Veterans at major commemorative milestones abroad, met with the Veterans Ombudsman, and been reaching out to Canadians far and wide in order to learn and listen to their views, he said in a statement earlier this month. In that time, some have asked about Canada s commitment to our Veterans. I can assure all my fellow citizens, and particularly our Veterans and their families, that this Government and the dedicated professionals at Veterans Affairs Canada are truly devoted to supporting those military and RCMP members who served our great country

6 We will continue to listen to Veterans, and to work with partners who share our common goal of supporting those who put their lives on the line for Canada. We are here to deliver the care and support Veterans need, when they need it. That is our promise to Veterans.