MP MacKenzie Confirms Veterans Affairs Canada Will Mark 2013 as the Year of the Korean War Veteran

Ottawa, ON— Dave MacKenzie, Member of Parliament for Oxford, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today confirmed that Veterans Affairs Canada will mark 2013 as the Year of the Korean War Veteran.

“I am honoured to join Minister Blaney in remembering the sacrifices of Korean War Veterans by marking 2013 as the Year of the Korean War Veteran,” said MP MacKenzie. “Men and women in uniform from our own communities were willing to leave the comfort and safety of home to defend the values of peace, freedom and democracy against the threat of tyranny. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.”

“Our Government is honoured to mark 2013 as the Year of the Korean War Veteran,” said Minister Blaney. “It is our duty today to pay tribute to the more than 26,000 Canadian men and women in uniform who came to the aid of the South Koreans during the Korean War, and in particular to the 516 Canadians who gave their lives in service to defend the values of peace and freedom on the Korean Peninsula.”

Also launched to commemorate this important part of Canadian history was an interactive Website feature, Land of the Morning Calm, which is now available at veterans.gc.ca. This feature presents Korean War history and archival footage, interviews with Korean War Veterans and an interactive history calendar. The feature is presented in broadcast style, complete with a news anchor and video footage.

“This year marks the 60^th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice,” said Senator Yonah Martin. “In the years that followed, Korean War Veterans have diligently strived to respectfully commemorate the sacrifices of so many of their fellow Canadians. This year, our nations will pay special tribute to their sacrifices.”

The Year of the Korean War Veteran coincides with the 60^th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. This year also marks the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and South Korea. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, and active fighting ended on July 27, 1953, with the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement. Approximately 7,000 Canadians continued to serve in the tense theatre of operations between the signing of the Armistice and the end of 1955, with some Canadian troops remaining until 1957.

The names of the 516 Canadians, who died in service during the war, including the nearly 400 Canadians who lie at rest in the Republic of Korea, are inscribed in the Korean War Book of Remembrance, which is on display in the Peace Tower in Ottawa.

For more information on Canada’s role in the Korean War or the Year of the Korean War Veteran, please visit veterans.gc.ca.