On Sunday, there were ceremonies celebrating the 62nd Anniversary of the Korean Armistice held at the Monument to the Canadian Fallen and a second, larger, ceremony at the National War Memorial. The day started out dull and rainy but as the first ceremony began, the rain stopped. God loves the infantry! The first ceremony was attended by Senator Yonah Martin and Korean Ambassador to Canada, His Excellency Daeshik Jo, who laid wreaths on behalf of Canada and the Republic of South Korea. After this short ceremony, the assembled veterans marched up to the National War Memorial for the larger ceremony.
The larger ceremony followed the standard scenario of Acts of Remembrance and wreath laying but was more elaborate and better attended with good representation from the diplomatic corps. Following this ceremony, the veterans did a march past by the official party and the proceeded onto the reception hosted by the Korean Embassy at the Chateau Laurier Hotel.
The reception was a grand affair with too much food, all very well prepared. There were remarks from the Korean Ambassador, LGen Hainse, and Senator Martin as well as a presentation of letters written to the Korean Veterans by Korean school children. Mr Bill Black, of the Korean Veterans Assocation, Chapter #7, accepted the letters on behalf of the veterans. Of particular note were the number of ladies in traditional Korean costumes which added a lot of colour to an otherwise poorly lit ballroom.
To see all the pictures, CLICK HERE
