National Newsletter. September Newsletter. September 8, 2011 Issue The Last Hurrah

Transcription

1 National Newsletter September 8, 2011 Issue 8-09 September Newsletter The Last Hurrah Most who read the National Newsletter, were not able to attend the Last Hurrah in Winnipeg. My main intention is not to report in absolute detail, but to thank all those who worked many hours to ensure success which we did achieve without question. May I ask all those who receive this Newsletter including the National Executive, Unit Presidents, our loyal supporters and Members of our Coordination Team to pass this Newsletter on to their friends, please. If some receive it twice, they need only push their Delete button for their second copy. No matter how detailed or thorough one tries to be, my thank you list will not record all those who deserve a pat on the back. All Members of Unit 17 in Winnipeg, Members of Unit 303 of the ANAF in Winnipeg and the Korea-Canadian Community in Winnipeg must be congratulated. A number of Members of Unit 27 in Victoria, my Unit, must also be acknowledged. Heading the list is Michael Czuboka, the Coordinator in Winnipeg who volunteered to be my right hand man in Winnipeg to make it all possible. At the risk of losing a few friends, I will list individuals who deserve special recognition: June Wilson, Harry Lee, Rosie Towers, Tom Munro, Edna McPhee, Lois Mader, John Gillis, Carole Gillis, Ron Elson, Armand Lavalee, Padre Paul Sakasov, Peter Ewasiuk, Phillip Leigh, Bob Stewart, Ed Hadel, Ray Renaud, Charles Kim, Bill Czuboka, Judy Moss and Helen Czuboka. There were other groups involved that must also be included without question: The Korean Drummers and Dancers, The Piper, Pipes and Drummers and the Staff of the Fairmont Hotel including Maureen Milroy and Greg Hazlewood. The Banquet was most impressive including the meal and all associated activities, such as, the Korean Dancers and Drummers and The Table of Remembrance. We had many other events worth mentioning: The Kapyong film from Australia, the Canadian Forces film from the ROK April 2011 Revisit, The Real Mash film from United States, The Meet and Greet, the visit to the Manitoba Legislature and, the much appreciated luncheon at the ANAF Unit 303. The much appreciated visit to Base Shilo with two bus loads of Veterans included a fly past by jet fighter aircraft, the Historical Artillery Museum and the 2PPCLI Modern Equipment and Weapons Display that made Korean War equipment look archaic.

2 We had more than thirty VIP Guests at the Banquet Head Table with an official grand total of 490 seated at the dinner. I will only list the eight who made an Address: National KVA President (John Bishop), Unit 17 President (Peter Ewasiuk), Government of Canada (Senator Yonah Martin), Republic of Korea (Colonel Soo Wan Lee), US KWVA National 1st Vice-President (BGen Jim Ferris), US Department of Defense (Col David J Clark), Province of Manitoba (Bonnie Korzeniowski) and City of Winnipeg (Councillor Grant Nordman). In closing, a number of attendees who made a financial donation were honoured with gifts and recognition at the Banquet. My best regards to all Members of KVA, their families, and loyal supporters of our Association from Sea to Sea and Beyond. Most sincerely, John National President Above is an image of the Korean dancers that were present at the Last Hurrah.

3 Roll of Honour Unit 7 Anthony Vinette RCR Died August 27, 2011 Unit 27 Robert Dougans RCN Died May 21, 2011 No Unit Specified John Tidd Died August 27, 2011 Roy Kilburn RCN Died July 27, 2011 Above is an image from the Canadian National Exhibition s Warrior s Parade. Address by the National President at the Winnipeg Last Hurrah First of all, a warm welcome to all of you. Our capable Master of Ceremonies has named all those seated at the Head Table so I will get on with my Address. Many World War Two Veterans also went to Korea. Many fought up the Italian Peninsula in 1944, teaching us much as we fought our way up the Korean Peninsula, We learned much from them.

4 We also had a few WWII Hong Kong Vets who also fought in Hong Kong as well as Korea. I was detailed to assist and go with them with their 25th Anniversary Revisit to Hong Kong. On the arrival aircraft, the pilot got permission from the control tower to fly close to the ground, where, as Prisoners of War, they spent up to three years building the airport with picks and shovels. Some of them had been water boarded for trying to escape as dedicated soldiers are encouraged to do. I was invited, as the only non-hong Kong Veteran, to their Last Hurrah decades later. In November 1950, at 19 years of age, I was on my way to Korea with 2PPCLI for the greatest adventure of my life. I remember hearing about, at the this time, a report on the Canoe River Train Accident in Canada where 17 artillery soldiers were killed and 41 were badly injured, all from Newfoundland. Those killed are listed in The Book of Remembrance at Parliament Hill. Briefly, two Canadian Korean War Vets attended their Last Hurrah in Australia a few years ago. I attended and thought at that time, we should do the same thing in Canada, should I be in a position to make it come about. Bob Molesworth and I attended. Yours truly was placed at the head of the Australian Korea Veterans Parade which was an absolute honour for me. We were soldiers from a forgotten War for many decades. President Clinton declared it a war in 1998 and Canada appeared to listen. We had 516 killed and 1558 wounded, Canada s Third Bloodiest Conflict, after WWI and II. The RCN Navy was the first service to reach Korean waters. 22 Canadian pilots of the RCAF fought with the USAF. Approximately 47 soldiers died during the Peacekeeping phase, 1953 to Not known to many, four soldiers were killed in 1956 in a plane crash on the way home and are listed in the Book of Remembrance. We had an Infantry Brigade in Korea during most of the war period. All three infantry regiments served valiantly suffering significant fatal casualties:: RCR PPCLI and R22eR Approximately 80 % of the casualties were members of the Infantry. The Korean military and civilian population paid a heavy price in casualties. During my 36 years of military service, I served with many Korean Veterans, during most of my tours in Republic of Korea (two tours), North Korea, Germany with NATO during the Cuban Crisis, Ghana (West Africa), Vietnam (ICCS), Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon during the civil war). I also served in half of our Canadian Provinces.

5 Our wives and children must not be forgotten. They paid a price in many ways too. During my service, I was separated from my family for a grand total of 12 years including detached postings, six week exercises and 23 courses. Even the children bear scars. My children served with me in Germany, Ghana and Lebanon. We had to evacuate non-essential Canadians after my two children and others had some of their school bus windows shot out on the way home from school. Unbelievably, they both consider the Lebanese civil war tour, including the school bus incident their greatest lifetime adventure. I would like to go on, but will not, as I might set a bad example to the remaining eight speakers. You may not want to be here to midnight. After the Addresses, I will be speaking again, hopefully briefly, thanking all the wonderful people who made this outstanding event possible. In closing, thank you and I hope you are enjoying yourself and meeting many old friends, some you have not seen in up to sixty years. The excellent large Name Tags likely prevented a What is your name? embarrassment! National Executive Meeting held in Winnipeg during The Last Hurrah The National Executive Meeting held at 0900 hrs until 1130 hrs August 30th was an outstanding success due to good attendance, frank but sincere discussion and a desire by all attendees to listen to all points of view to find common ground. At the risk of pre-empting the report by the National Secretary, I will briefly highlight significant decisions unanimously agreed to at the meeting: 1. Lloyd Swick, Ottawa made a most interesting presentation on a project to build a Memorial remembering Animals in War in the National Capital Commission Park. We were all absolutely impressed with his presentation. The number of animals including horses and dogs that have been killed in war, serving nations fighting wars is unbelievable. Millions of animals were killed in military service in World War One and subsequent wars fought up to, and including Afghanistan. In fact, as one German general stated, the extensive use of animals in large numbers by the Allies was a major factor contributing to the German defeat. 2. We now have a plan for the issue of the Distinguished Service Cross (DSS) and the 60th Anniversary Jubilee Medal to deserving members. We have a team that will be responsible for distribution of the medals to individuals, an agreement to issue appropriate terms of reference and, follow an agreed to procedure for recommending members for the medals.

6 3. A unanimous vote approved the present National President remaining in office until the ceremony recognizing the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Armistice in July The National Vice President will assume his duties a President of the Heritage Unit on January 1st They will work together to assure a successful event at the Wall of Remembrance in Brampton to recognize the 60th Anniversary of the Armistice in July We have received considerable donations for the staging of the Last Hurrah in Winnipeg. Therefore, it is most unlikely that any expenditure of National funds will be necessary. Respectfully, John Remembrance Table or Fallen Comrade Table As you entered the banquet hall this evening, you may have noticed a small table in a place of honor. It is reverently referred to as a Remembrance Table or Fallen Comrade Table. Our brothers, our Fallen Comrades and our missing in action, are unable to be with us this evening so we remember them with this table setting and offer reverence to their memory.

7 The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country s call to arms. The napkin is black representing the empty place their absence has left in the hearts of thousands of family members and friends across many nations. The single lighted candle reminds us of the flame of eternal life; that our fallen comrades will be with us always. The single rose, displayed in a vase, is symbolic of the immense sacrifices and untold hardships endured by our missing and fallen warriors. The rose s red colour symbolizes the love of home and country that led them to such sacrifices. A sliver of lemon sits on the bread place, to remind us of their bitter fate. There is salt on the bread plate symbolic of the tears shed by their loved ones. The glass is inverted-for they cannot toast with us tonight. The chair is empty-they are not here. Remember- All ye who served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their strength and comfort and relied upon themremember them, for they must not be forgotten. We will remember them

8 Last Hurrah Korean Youth Peace Camp I couldn t believe that I was actually going to Korea. After ignoring 3 messages informing me that I had been selected to go on a free trip to Korea on account of my belief that it was a telemarketing scam, I finally learned that the caller was referring to the Korean Youth Peace Camp. After then convincing my employer that it was not a scam, I had the flight booked with a wait of only 3 short weeks. Transportation consisted of a day of over-priced, tasteless airport food, gravol-assisted naps, and having my identity check every four steps. Luckily Jennifer Hicks, another participant from Vancouver, found me and kept me from getting lost. Despite all of it, the travel was well worth the experience. Our time in Korea was tightly scheduled and filled with activities. The first day we saw the Gyeongbok Palace, which was gorgeous. On the second day we ran through the Seoul National Cemetery unfortunately only long enough to have our pictures taken. However, we spent got to fully experience the War Memorial of Korea with a guided tour later that day. The next day we went to Busan by the KTX to see the UN Memorial Cemetery. This cemetery was beautiful and astounding in its size and decorative detail. The following day we attended the Demilitarized Zone at the 38th parallel. In addition to these War related activities, we went shopping, to the beach, and to a Marionette Break dancing performance. In my opinion, the most interesting activity I attended was the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). I was initially anxious about going to the DMZ because in response to my inquiry to the tour guides of why they were not accompanying us, they said for security reasons. Yikes. However, once we arrived there, we were greeted by a nice American soldier who calmed our worries. The DMZ was interesting because of the tension that hung in the air. We were told not to point, make hand gestures, turn around, get out of single file or make and sudden movements. I was dumbfounded to be at that moment standing directly between two countries that barely maintain their peaceful status. For the first time, I could understand the reality of the ongoing tension between the two neighbouring countries.

9 One day I went out into Seoul to go shopping. I decided to venture off in the less commercialized area and away from the malls. I spent hours going into small clothing and accessory stores. It was at first shocking to see a 30,000 won price tag, but I quickly got used to the conversion. Also, I was surprised to learn that there weren t dress sizes; either you fit the one Korean size or you didn t. I ll always remember the extreme friendliness of those working in the stores who forgave me not being able to say anything past hello and thank you in Korean. My favourite experience during my shopping excursion was when they would ask me if I was American: my response of, no, Canadian was always greeted with an enthusiastic Oh! CANADIAN!! We love Canadians! Never have I been as proud to be Canadian as during my time in Korea. This was truly an event that enhanced my understanding of the Korean War and has provided me with the wonderful insight of just how wonderful Korea and the Korean people actually are. I cannot express how extremely grateful I am to the Korean government for their hospitality. Furthermore, the Korean Peace Camp enlightened me of my Grandfather s immense bravery. For a week, we grandchildren of Korean War Veterans were repeatedly informed that our grandfathers saved South Korea. We were instructed to send back thanks to our grandfathers for their bravery, and thanks to our grandmothers for their sacrifices. I am personally so proud of my grandfather, Phillip Leigh, for altruistically risking his safety to fight a war that was not his own. I am thankful that I could attend the Korean Youth Peace Camp and will never forget what I experienced or what I learned while I was there. Alyson Dorin Peace camp participants at Gyeongbok Palace

10 Message from BGeneral Jim Ferris, 1st Vice President KWVA/USA Mike: I want to thank you and all the wonderful Korean War Vets and VIPs that I met at the last Hurrah. It was a wonderful occasion and I want you to know that I was extremely proud and excited being a part of it. I hope my remarks were in order, I meant every word I said. If I can be of any help to you in the future or if you ever come to NY State look me up. Again thank you, Jim Ferris First Vice President KWVA/USA On the Lighter Side 40 years of Marriage A married couple in their early sixties was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant. Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table. She said, For being such an exemplary married couple and for being loving to each other for all this time, I will grant you a wish. The wife answered, Oh, I want to travel around the world with my darling husband. The fairy waved her magic wand and - poof! - two tickets for the Queen Mary II appeared in her hands. The husband thought for a moment. Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again. I m sorry my love, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me. The wife, and the fairy, were deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish. So the fairey waved her magic wand and poof!...the husband became 92 years old. The moral of this story: Men who are ungrateful bastards, even if they are Korean War Veterans, should remember fairies are female...