May 25, 2011
Ottawa — The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, laid a wreath today at the Monument to the Canadian Fallen paying tribute to Korean War Veterans. Senator Yonah Martin, Member of Parliament Barry Devolin, the Honourable Kyug Ryul An, Chairman of the Canada-Korea Interparliamentary Group and Mr. Bill Black, President of the National Capital Unit of the Korea Veterans Association of Canada also laid wreaths.
"It is a privilege to be in the presence of Veterans of the Korean War at my first commemorative ceremony," said Minister Blaney. "The men and women who served in a war half a world away reflect our nation's history of courage, service and sacrifice."
When the United Nations came to Korea's aid with a multinational force, Canada answered the call by providing a larger contingent in proportion to its population than most of the other UN nations.
During the Korean War, more than 26,000 Canadian men and women served. An additional 7,000 Canadians served between the signing of the Armistice in 1953 and the end of 1955, with some Canadian troops remaining until 1957. The names of 516 Canadian war dead are inscribed in the Korean War Book of Remembrance located in the Peace Tower in Ottawa.
More information on Canada's participation in the Korean War is available on the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site.
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