The Korean War Veteran Internet Journal for the World s Veterans of the Korean War November 17, 2013

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1 The Korean War Veteran Internet Journal for the World s Veterans of the Korean War November 17, 2013 First formal observance held in Burnaby, British Columbia Remembrance services for Korean War Veterans held all across Canada There was an amazing amount of activity all across Canada on November 11 Remembrance Day, with Korean War Veteran services held at locations from Newfoundland and the other Atlantic Provinces through to Vancouver and locations on Vancouver Island. As a run up to Remembrance Day, His Excellency, Cho Hee-yong, the Republic of Korea s Ambassador to Canada and his first lady visited many Korean War Veterans in various locations in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, presenting Ambassador for Peace medals and offering his nation s thanks for their service (See photo essay at end of article). Ambassador Cho and his aides were surprised to learn that there is an Atlantic Provinces Korean War Veterans Association that has been active for some decades, but has been overshadowed by the Korea Veterans Association of Canada. The latter association either underwent or is undergoing some kind of structural reorganization, that includes a name change, but no public advisory statements have been issued as yet by its new national president. The National Capital Unit of the Korea Veterans Association, led by its president, Bill Black, conducted its annual Turn Toward Busan service on the evening of November 10, so as to be synchronized with the national Turn Toward Busan ceremony that took place in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan at 11 a.m. on November 11. In Washington, D.C., on November 10, several thousand American Veterans of the Korean War also turned to face Busan when their wreath of remembrance was placed at the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the Mall. The national wreath laying and Turn Toward Busan service was conducted by the Korean War Veterans Association chairman of national ceremonies Thomas

2 McHugh, with KWVA national president Larry Kinard officiating. The impressive KWVA Color Guard marched on with the National Flag. On the west coast of Canada a very significant Korean War Veterans Remembrance Day service took place in Burnaby for Veterans from the metropolitan Vancouver area and other locations in British Columbia. It was held at the Korean War Memorial Ambassador for Peace Monument in Burnaby. The Ambassador for Peace Monument at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Burnaby Canada s Senator Martin was a key figure in this impressive service, which will be enlarged next year. If planning goes well, the 2014 service may be the western Canada focal point for a Turn Toward Busan ceremony, which would synchronize with the services held in Busan and Ottawa. As a prelude to the Burnaby service, Senator Martin and others visited veterans at the George Derby Centre, which she does often, and placed a wreath of remembrance at the cenotaph that is located on the grounds.

3 Senator Martin places wreath of remembrance at the George Derby Centre in Burnaby

4 A high number of wreaths were placed inside at the George Derby Centre for Veterans in Burnaby Many of the well wishers who brought comfort and their very best wishes to the Veterans who reside at the George Derby Centre Later, Senator Martin represented the Canadian Government in what was the first ever formal Remembrance Day service held at the Ambassador for Peace monument. While small groups of veterans have conducted their own services at the monument since it was first opened in 2007, this was the first time in which a formal, full-fledged service had been held there on Remembrance Day. The numbers were not high, with some 50 participants, but the service is said to be the antecedent to a larger service that will be conducted in In addition to the wreath placed by Senator Martin, wreaths of remembrance were also placed by His Excellency Consul General Kie Cheon Lee for the Government of the Republic of Korea; former B.C. Minister Harry Bloy, who raised a lot of the funds to build the memorial, and Richard Lee, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Burnaby North on behalf of the Province of British Columbia.

5 Also placing wreaths in memory of our Fallen comrades were Warren Byrnell, for the Korea Veterans Association of Canada; Il-Soo Kim for the (ROK) Korean Veterans Association Western Chapter; Honorary Colonel Karen Baker-MacGrotty of the Royal Westminster Regiment; Ron Suh on behalf of the National Unification Advisory Council, Western Canada Chapter and Donald Lee on behalf of the Korean Society of British Columbia. Senator Martin places first wreath at the memorial marker that is sited adjacent to the Ambassador for Peace Monument in the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Burnaby

6 His Excellency Kie Cheon Lee, Consul General for the Republic of Korea, places wreath on behalf of his Government

7 Korean War Veteran Warren Byrnell places wreath for the Korea Veterans Association of Canada A wreath was placed on behalf of Republic of Korea's War Veterans by Il-Soo Kim for the (ROK) Korean Veterans Association Western Chapter

8 Ron Suh places a wreath on behalf of the National Unification Advisory Council, Western Canada Chapter. A prominent businessman, Mr. Suh has been a strong supporter and donator to many programs involving Canada s Korean War Veterans

9 Honorary Colonel Karen Baker-MacGrotty of the Royal Westminster Regiment salutes before she places wreath for Canada s Korean War Fallen

10 Former Minister Harry Bloy, long time member of British Columbia's Legislative Assembly played a critical role in arranging for the funding that paid for the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Burnaby Ambassador Cho Hee-yong and his first lady with veterans in Canada s Atlantic Provinces

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