Sunday the 25th saw the Remembrance of the 64th Anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice and the day was marked by three separate, albeit connected, events in Ottawa, all hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
The day started with a bright blue sky and slightly below normal temperatures, just perfect for this type of event. The first remembrance was held at the Monument to the Canadian Fallen where a small ceremony was to take place before the main ceremony at the National War Memorial (NWM). However, as time closed in on the start, suddenly the Korean contingent arrived, along with the Korean Ambassador, the piper and bugler from the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Padre, and the KVA Ch. 7 Colour Party. Although this became larger than originally proposed, it was over quickly with the only two wreaths laid: one by the Korean Ambassador, Shin Maeng-ho, accompanied by the Korean Defence Attaché, Col. Yoon, and the other by Mr. Bill Black, from the Korean Veterans Association Ch. 7, along with CFSU(O) CWO Dany Dubuc. The ceremony completed, everyone hustled up the street to the NWM for the larger ceremony marking the day.
At the NWM, the day was still bright but light clouds had started to gather. VIPs/veterans were seated on the east side with others seated on the west. The Veterans were marched onto the Esplanade, were reviewed by the reviewing party which included Senator Yonah Martin, Ambassador Shin, and MGen. Joyce. Once reviewed, the veterans took their chairs and the ceremony rolled along with its’ program of Commitment to Remember, prayer, lament, silence, rouse, and the laying of wreaths. There was a good contingent of Defence Attachés laying wreaths on behalf of their nations as well as several veterans’ groups representing their constituents. Once completed, the veterans did a march past and the ceremony was completed.
Now, during this event, the periods of sun were giving away to cloud, some dark. People lined up to take pictures with the veterans and the wreaths but a couple of drops of rain could be felt so most people made a quick exit to the Chateau Laurier to get under cover and get to the reception. For those who stayed for a couple of last minute pictures, there was retribution because the skies opened up and the rain came down in sheets. However, it did hold off for the ceremony so there is solace in that.
At the reception, the Ambassador, his wife, the defence attaché and his wife and others greeted guests in national costumes and looked colourful and lovely in them. The food was plentiful and varied so it promised to be a good reception. The Ambassador opened with remarks thanking Canadians for their sacrifices in a land far away with a foreign culture and was followed by Senator Martin who told the story of her parents who left Korea at that time. MGen Joyce proposed the toast to the veterans to which Mr. Bill Black responded and received letters written by Korean children addressed to the Korean veterans. Of note, and I hope I heard this correctly, Mr. Black said that Canadians never fought the North Koreans but only had combat against the Chinese. I found this interesting but I may not have heard it correctly so it needs to be confirmed.
The veterans then made a presentation to the Korean Ambassador and, with the official part of the program over, everyone headed for the steam table and the food. A little later there was a presentation of Korean dancing by children dancers whose expertise and colourful outfits captured the attention of the guests.
To see all the pictures, CLICK HERE
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