The Honourable Yonah Martin L’honorable Yonah Martin

News Release

For immediate release July 27, 2020

COMMEMORATING JULY 27TH KOREAN WAR VETERANS DAY #koreanwarforgottennomore

70 years ago, fought in horrific conditions for a country they knew little about. They could never have imagined then, that the war-torn country they fought to defend would one day become a G-20 country and Canada’s 4th largest trading partner.

Bill S-213 (Korean War Veterans Day Act), became an Act of Parliament in June 2013. Since then, Canadians have come together across Canada on July 27th to remember the sacrifices made during the Korean War and to pay tribute to the more than 26,000 brave Canadians who served in Korea, the more than 7000 who served in peace-keeping duties after the signing of the Armistice, and the 514 who paid the ultimate sacrifice and never returned home.

This day, July 27th, marks the 7th annual Korean War Veterans Day commemorating the 67th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice. Once again, Canadians from coast to coast, stood together, to pay tribute to our beloved Korean War Veterans and vowed to never forget their service and sacrifice.

ST. PETER’S BAY, PEI – The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, laid a wreath at the St. Peter’s Bay War Monument on the occasion of Korean War Veterans Day across Canada.

“From 1950 through to 1953, Canadians fought to return peace to the Korean peninsula. It was a conflict that saw Canada continue to burnish its reputation from the World Wars just years before, and the tales of steadfast bravery at places like Kapyong and Hill 355 continue to be passed on to the next generation of Canadian heroes.

“In all, more than 26,000 Canadians served during the Korean War. Hundreds were killed, more than a thousand were wounded, and untold numbers of others returned home carrying the burdens of war that they would never relinquish.

“Today, we thank them for their courage, for their sacrifice, and for their service,” said Minister MacAulay

Senate of Canada Building, Ottawa, K1A 0A4 | [email protected]

The Honourable Yonah Martin L’honorable Yonah Martin

OTTAWA, ON – Veterans of Korea Veterans Association (KVA) Unit 7; The Honourable Yonah Martin, Grand Patron of KVA Heritage Unit, on behalf of the Senate of Canada; H.E. Keung Ryong Chang, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea; Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Coquitlam, ; General (Ret’d) Walter Natynczyk, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs; LtGen Wayne Eyre, Commander of the Canadian Army; members of the Korean Canadian Community of Ottawa and the Korean War Commemorative Committee (KWCC) gathered at the National War Memorial to commemorate Korean War Veterans Day. The annual ceremony is organized by KVA Unit 7, supported by the office of the Defence Attaché of ROK, Veterans Affairs Canada and KWCC of Ottawa (chaired by Senator Martin).

“Today is an important day to remember the courage and sacrifice of Canadians in Korea. As I stood at the monument beside our Korean War Veterans, now in their late 80s and 90s, I see the resolve and passion in their eyes, the brave young men who left home and loved ones to protect the people of Korea, my parents included. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. We promise to hold high the torch and ensure that the Korean War and your legacies are never forgotten,” said Senator Yonah Martin.

BRAMPTON, ON – Due to more stringent public health restriction on social gatherings in the Peel region, a small ceremony took place in Brampton, Ontario at the site of the KVA Wall of Remembrance (the national Korean War memorial) at Meadowvale Cemetery. 10 participants including Member of Parliament and Consul General Tae-in Chung stood together, six feet apart, alongside Korean War Veterans and members of the Korean Canadian community leaders of the region to mark this important day of remembrance.

BURNABY, BC – , Leader of the NDP & Member of Parliament for Burnaby- South; , Member of Parliament for Langley-Aldergrove, and representing The Hon. , Leader of the Opposition & Senator Yonah Martin; Member of Parliament for Burnaby-New Westminster, ; Consul General Byung-won Chung; Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Coquitlam, Nelly Shin’s staff representative; and City of Coquitlam Councillor, Steve Kim joined Veterans of the Korean War and Korean Canadian Community leaders at the Ambassador of Peace Memorial in Central Park. The annual ceremony is organized by the Korean War Commemorative Alliance (KWCA) and coordinated by The Office of Senator Yonah Martin.

LUNENBURG, NS – Joined by the Royal Canadian Branch 23, Korean War Veteran Peter Wilkins laid a wreath in remembrance of his fallen comrades on Korean War Veterans Day.

CALGARY, AB - On July 18th, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 288 and KWCC of Calgary held a wreath-laying ceremony at the Airdrie Cenotaph Korean War Memorial. They were joined by , Member of Parliament for Airdrie-Cochrane; Peter Guthrie, Member of Legislative Assembly for Airdrie-Cochrane; and City of Airdrie Mayor, Peter Brown.

Senate of Canada Building, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4 | [email protected]

The Honourable Yonah Martin L’honorable Yonah Martin

EDMONTON, AB – Korean War Veterans of KVA Unit 21, Edmonton Korean Association and KWCC of Edmonton held a ceremony at the Alberta Legislative Grounds on July 26th. , Member of Parliament for Edmonton Riverbend; Veterans of Korean Marine Corp and community leaders were also in attendance.

COQUITLAM, BC –Korean War Veterans were joined by Coquitlam Legion Branch 263 representatives, community leaders and City of Coquitlam Councilor Bonita Zarillo at Blue Mountain Park Cenotaph for a special wreath-laying on July 26th.

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Contact Information Office of The Hon. Yonah Martin 613-947-4078 / [email protected]

Senate of Canada Building, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4 | [email protected]