North Island – Powell River MP Rachel Blaney travelled to South Korea in July to honour the 70th anniversary of the Korean war armistice.
“I was privileged and grateful to be among the Canadian guests invited, as part of a Canadian delegation, to honour the more than 26,000 brave Canadians who served in Korea from 1950 to 1953, and to recognize the important impact UN forces played as part of the response to the Korean war,” stated Blaney in a media release. “We were travelling with 11 Canadian veterans who served in Korea. Their energy and tenacity, despite being in their 90s, was the most inspiring part of the trip.”
The release stated that during the trip, several locations were visited. Among them was the Canadian Korean war memorial garden in Kapyong, where Blaney was able to place a wreath on behalf of the Parliament of Canada.
“It was powerful to be in that area and see where conflict took place,” stated Blaney. “The hilly terrain, the impacts of both summer and winter weather, brought a context to the war that had a profound impact on me.”
Blaney also travelled to the Korean demilitarized zone, a section of land that runs across the Korean peninsula and acts as a buffer between North Korea and South Korea.
“Despite a truce ending hostilities, the two sides have not signed an official peace treaty and the demilitarized zone is still a site of great concern and tension,” stated Blaney. “Visiting this area with 67 veterans of the Korean war was very emotional. It was a privilege to listen to them share their stories and see one another, in some cases after many years.”
A third location was the UN Peace Museum in Busan, which Blaney stated is a poignant and beautiful museum recognizing the Korean war and the countries that fought for Korea. In it is a special exhibition called Protectors of Korea, which honours the 26,791 Canadians who served and the 516 who gave their lives, according to the release.
The UN Memorial Cemetery was another stopover. The release stated that of the 516 Canadians who died in the war, 378 are buried at the UN Memorial Cemetery, many of them only 19 or 20 years old when they gave their lives.
“Several of our veterans had specific graves they wanted to visit for themselves and for their friends who could not come to Korea,” stated Blaney. “I was deeply honoured to help them find their friends and to visit every grave to show my respect for their sacrifice.”
The contingent also visited the Wall of Remembrance and War Memorial in Seoul, which houses a book that contains the names of all the people who died in the Korean War, both those from Korea and those from the UN, the release stated.
“Seeing the Korean people visiting to honour those who died for their freedom was emotional,” stated Blaney. “Watching our veterans see how Korean people continue to honour the sacrifice so many reinforced the importance of remembering.”
The contingent was also guests at a thank you banquet hosted by the Korean government, to honour and recognize the veterans that served in the war, the release stated.
“Dozens of veterans were in attendance, including the 11 from Canada,” stated Blaney. “This is a regular ceremony that gives the Korean government the opportunity to thank the people who fought for their country’s freedom.”
The group also participated in the commemoration ceremony for United Nations forces participating in the Korean War. The release stated that at this ceremony, the president of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, gave a speech to thank the veterans for their service and shook each veteran’s hand at the end of the speech.
“As someone with family members who served in Korea, this trip was significant and meaningful,” stated Blaney. “It is devastating to see the impacts of war and is a reminder that there is a cost to freedom. Often, that cost is death, and it is so important not to take liberty for granted.
“What will stick with me forever are the memories of people on the street stopping veterans to shake their hands or get their autographs, thanking the veterans for everything they did. It seems important to the people of Korea to show their gratitude and provide places to go to talk about the war and commemorate the people who died for their freedom.”
Blaney stated the people of Korea are deeply grateful to those who sacrificed so much so they could have their freedom.
“Everywhere we went, people took the time to give thanks and honour the veterans who fought for them,” stated Blaney. “It is incredibly moving to witness and profoundly meaningful to be part of.”
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