On 19th June, 2022, at the National War Memorial, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (a.k.a. ROK and South Korea) hosted a remembrance ceremony in honour of the 69th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice in 1953. While this did not end the war, it did end the active hostilities and although the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (a.k.a. North Korea) maintain a hostile relationship with the ROK, and pretty much the rest of the world, the fragile peace has held.
The day was perfect at about 18 degrees and sunny with little wind to speak of. The National War Memorial (NWM) had sentries posted from the Canadian Rangers who were replaced by sentries around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier just prior to the start of the ceremony. The official party consisted on HE Keung Ryong Chang, Korean Ambassador to Canada, TH Mona Fortier representing Canada, Senator Yonah Martin representing the Senate, MGen Michael Wright representing the Canadian Armed Forces as well as others from nations involved in the Korean Conflict and Korean Veterans.
The ceremony started off with the marching on of Korean veterans who marched in front of the assembled audience and then dismissed to take their seats. Mr. Bill Black from the Korea War Veterans Association, Unit #7, briefly address the guests and gave a short history of the conflict and some of the veterans present. Next was the reading of the Act of Remembrance in English, French, and Korean, followed by teenagers reciting the Commitment to Remember in three languages and then a prayer.
The ceremony proceeded with the playing of the Last Post, the silence, the Rouse and the Lament which led to the laying of the wreaths. The official party were first up to individually lay wreaths and then groups layed wreaths until the last wreath, which was handled by Bill Black and Gord Gallant of the Korea War Veterans Association. God Save the Queen was played and then the group photo was taken with the wreaths after which everyone retired to the Chateau Laurier for the reception and meal hosted by the Korean Embassy.
During the reception, Ambassador Chang made remarks thanking all the veterans for their sacrifices, followed by the Honorable Mona Fortier, and Senator Yonah Martin, who came to Canada from Korea with her parents. During Senator Martin’s remarks she presented a Certificate of Recognition from the Senate of Canada to Mr. Bill Black for his service during wartime and for all his efforts with veterans afterwards and on the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Ambassador Chang then presented two Ambassador Peace Medals to William Nicholls, who accepted in person, and Douglas Levandier who was not present but was accepted my Major Levandier (I believe his son). Next to take the stage were two Korean children, dressed in traditional Korean costume, who read and presented letters from Korean children to the Korean veterans. Mr. Bill Black accepted the letters on behalf of the veterans.
To give everyone a slight reprieve from the ceremony, the Ottawa Children’s Choir came forward to present a series of songs, complete with Covid-19 masking. Their voices were surprisingly clear and forceful despite having their mouths covered and the music was a lovely interlude. To end the reception, MGen Michael Wright came forward to make a toast to the Korean veterans which was responded to by Mr. Bill Black.
This ended the reception and the food tables were opened up for service. While people were getting their lunch, Senator Martin went to each veteran and presented and pinned on the pin of the Queen’s Platinum Jublilee.
To see all the pictures from the event, CLICK HERE.
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