To see all the pictures, go to: https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2020/armistice67/
On Sunday, 21st June, 2020, a remembrance ceremony was held at the Monument to the Canadian Fallen in Ottawa to remember the 516 Canadian military members who were killed during the Korean War and the celebrate the 67th Anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice which brought hostilities to a halt after three years of war.
The day was hot at 30 degrees but there was lots of shade by the monument to shelter the guests. Because of Covid-19 restrictions the guest list was limited to ten people but many more showed up to pay respects. For the most part, physical distancing was observed as was the wearing of masks but masks were removed during the ceremony as long as the physical distancing was kept. Also, to maintain physical distancing, rather than have a wreath bearer take a wreath to the wreath layer and move forward with them, the wreaths were brought forward by the wreath bearer, placed on a stand, and then the wreath bearer took several steps to the side away from the wreath. The wreath layer then came forward to take the wreath to lay at the foot of the monument.
Normally this ceremony would have been much larger and held in three parts: a small ceremony at this monument for local veterans and veterans from outside of Ottawa, a larger ceremony at the National War Memorial which would include the public and embassy legations, and then a reception hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea for the veterans, guests, and their families at the Chateau Laurier Hotel. However, Covid-19 restrictions cancelled all of that leaving this smaller remembrance. In all, seven wreaths were laid at the foot of the monument below the names of the 516 Canadians killed during the Korean War. The wreaths were laid by:
Canada |
Member of Parliament, Ms. Catherine McKenna |
Republic of Korea |
Chargé d’affaires Bum Soo Kwak |
Senate of Canada |
Senator Yonah Martin |
Veterans Affairs |
Deputy Minister Walt Natynczyk |
Canadian Armed Forces |
Commander of the Army, LGen. Wayne Eyre |
Canada-Korea Society |
President Mrs. Young-hae Lee |
Korea Veterans Association |
Korean War Veteran Claude Charland |
As well, the Korean Veterans on parade were presented with a commemorative plaque of the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, and a gift, by Mr. Kwak on behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. Following this presentation, there was the traditional group picture in front of the monument, albeit spread out a little more than normal and with many fewer people, after which the ceremony was closed.
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