SENATOR YONAH MARTIN COMMEMORATES 2ND ANNUAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS DAY

BURNABY, BC AND BRAMPTON, ON – The Honourable Yonah Martin, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, along with many dignitaries, community leaders, a special visiting group from Korea (of Human Harmony Organization Pumassi), and Veterans, commemorate Korean War Veterans Day (marking the 61st anniversary of the Korean War Armistice) at the Ambassador of Peace (the Korean War Memorial in Central Park, Burnaby) and on July 27th at the Wall of Remembrance (in Brampton, ON).

On June 19, 2013, Bill S-213 (Korean War Veterans Day Act) received Royal Assent to enact a day of remembrance to honour Canadian veterans of the Korean War, in perpetuity. Korean War Veterans Day is a day to remember and honour the courage and sacrifice of Canadians who served in the Korean War (1950-1953) and in peacekeeping duties following the signing of the Armistice.

More than 26,000 Canadians volunteered their service to fight during the Korean War. Canada as a nation owes an everlasting debt of gratitude to the men and women who served and continue to serve our country. The Korean War is Canada’s 3rd bloodiest war, with 516 Canadians making the ultimate sacrifice. To this day, nearly 400 Canadians rest in peace in the United Nations Cemetery in Busan, Korea. The Canadians fought bitter battles, lived in deplorable conditions, moved by foot through freezing mountains, and served with honour.

“July 27 is an important day of remembrance for all Canadians, especially those of Korean descent like me whose parents survived the war, thanks to the selfless efforts of Canadians who went to defend the Republic of Korea from the evils of communist aggression. We owe our lives and our freedom to these brave defenders,” stated Senator Martin.

At the reception following the commemorative ceremony in Brampton, a group of students from Korea honoured the veterans with a special “Thank you from Korea” presentation, sponsored by a non-profit organization called Human Harmony Organization Pumassi.

Pumassi created the “Thank You from Korea” project in 2003 with a mandate to express gratitude to the Korean War Veterans and to promote the ‘Pumassi’ spirit (of “community giving”) in Korea and around the world. A writing competition is held annually in Korea within participating elementary, middle and secondary schools, and winners are selected to be part of the “Thank you from Korea” tour, to travel to one of the countries that contributed to the Korean War, to meet and honour the veterans of that country. Canada was chosen as the recipient country for 2014.

The Canadian tour began in British Columbia on July 19th with a special presentation at the George Derby Care Centre for residents and veterans. The tour then continued to Ottawa for a wreath laying at the Monument to the Canadian Fallen, followed by a presentation in the Senate Chamber on Parliament Hill. The tour continued on to Toronto’s Korean Cultural Centre and Sunnybrook Hospital, then to Brampton for the national Korean War Veterans Day ceremony and reception.

“The children of Korea brought their love and gratitude to Canada, to honour the living heroes who fought for their freedom. The ‘Thank you from Korea’ was a moving and inspiring presentation for all in attendance,” said Senator Martin.

Bill Black, President of KVA Unit 7, articulates perfectly the sentiments of the Canadian veterans in response to the “Thank you from Korea” presentations:

“Our gratitude has no bounds for what we’ve come to enjoy so immensely with the youth of Korea. They are the finest ambassadors Korea could ever ask for.”