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Korean War Commemoration Committee Preserving Canada's Korean Service Heritage 1950-53 Korea 1953-1957
Committee Report 3 May 31, 2003 Plans Proceeding Well, Veterans' Interest Very High
Veterans and Friends of The Veterans, Preparations for the September 28th Korean Service Veterans Celebration and Monument Dedication in Ottawa are moving ahead nicely. We have already received indications of support and participation from many Veterans in virtually every region of Canada. In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick volunteers are getting Veterans together who will attend in a delegation. In Quebec, other volunteers are enlisting many Veterans from Montreal, Quebec City and throughout the Province. In the Kawartha Lakes District North of Toronto, a volunteer veteran activist is rallying many veterans for the journey to Ottawa. In Windsor, Ontario, interest is extremely high. Many Veterans are even changing summer travel plans to attend.
Relatives of Comrades Killed in Action In addition to inviting Veterans, the Committee would also like to locate close relatives of Canadian servicemen who lost their lives in Korea. We think it is proper and fitting that they be afforded a place of honour, with the privilege of placing a wreath on the Monument, if they desire to do so. We do not have funding to pay for their transportation or housing. At this point we are only asking for their names, their addresses, telephone contact numbers, E-mail addresses, and (Importantly) the name of their relative who died in Korean service. (It may be necessary later for volunteers to try to arrange for local sponsorship of these individuals).
International Invitations Invitations have gone out to Veterans organizations in Australia, Britain, Belgium, Luxembourg and France. Other UN Member Nations will also be contacted.
Handing Out and Filling Out Forms Will Help Committee Attached to this Edition of the Committee Report is an "Interest Indicator Response" form, a News Release, and an Illustration of the Monument. The illustration (shown above) does not have a caption attached. It shows the "Echo Copy" of the Monument to Canadian Fallen as it stands at its temporary location in Windsor, Ontario. It will be moved to Ottawa shortly. The Interest Indicator Form does not commit anyone to anything. It simply gives us an indication of interest so that we can scale the plans accordingly. The following is an exact copy of the Response Form that you can download into your word processing files. Kindly fill in the download version and return it to EchoCopy@aol.com as a paste-in or attachment to your E-mail. Please fill out the form for others who may wish to attend, or give them a printed version and ask them to mail it to the address shown on the form. ___________________________________________
Interest Indicator for Korean Service Veterans Celebration and Dedication of Monument to Canadian Fallen
_____________________________________________________________________ Name (Surname first, Given names)
_____________________________________________________________________ Address (Street/City/Prov/Postal Code
Telephone Number (with area code) __________E-mail address _____________
Please indicate one of following:
___ I probably will participate in September 28 activities in Ottawa.
___ I am considering attending the functions in Ottawa, but am not sure if I will attend.
___ I will not attend the functions in Ottawa.
For those who will or may attend, please complete the following:
Estimated number of people traveling in your group _________
Names:_______________________________________________________________ (Names of People Who Will Probably Travel with You)
Names:_______________________________________________________________
________________
Will you require a hotel room ____ How many rooms _______
How many days will you stay at hotel ____ Check in (Date)__________ Check out ___________
Are you interested in traveling by air ____ train ____ private car ____
Do you require special assistance in walking, etc. _________
Will somebody traveling with you be able to provide assistance _________
KOREAN SERVICE AFFILIATION
_____________________________________________________________________ Unit Served with (Ship or Regiment/Battalion/Battery/Squadron)
Are you a Relative of Canadian Killed in Action _________
Relationship to you of Canadian Killed in Action __________ (Grandfather, Father, Brother, Uncle)
Name of Relative Killed in Action ____________________________________________________
PLEASE E-MAIL TO echocopy@aol.com
MAIL IN ADDRESS: CKWCC 808-3445 Riverside Drive East Windsor, ON N8Y 1A9
__________________________________________________________________________
News Release Form.
Below is a copy of the news release that is attached to this Report. It will be downloaded along with the Interest Indicator Form. We would appreciate it if you can deliver it in person to your local newspaper, radio or TV station. If possible, give them names and contact numbers of veterans in your area who can be interviewed. The contact person's name should be filled in at the top of the form. The contact person's name should also be filled into the blank spaces of the release. (Blue words illustrate in the example). The reporter or editor will ask questions about the local veterans to localize and "fill out" the story. It's a little early to start the news relations effort, but the goal in this one is to get the word to as many veterans as possible, as quickly as possible. That is the object of this News Release. Many Veterans are saying that "It's a once in a lifetime event," and we want as many of them as possible to participate and enjoy it. We are still hard at work trying to arrange air, train and hotel discounts. That information will be provided later. ____________________________________________________________________
News Release
Contact _John Smith____________ Telephone 555-5555_____________
Local Korean Service Veterans to Be Honoured in Ottawa
Korean War Veterans from the local community will be honoured in special ceremonies in Ottawa this September, according to one of their representatives. John Smith_______________________, a Korean War Veteran who served in Korea with the The Royal Canadian Regiment_, said the Ottawa event will mark the first time ever that Canada's Korean War Veterans have been publicly honoured by their Country's leaders. Smith___________________ noted that the Korean Veteran's Tribute Day will also include the dedication of the Monument to Canadian Fallen, in downtown Ottawa. The Monument, paid for by the veterans themselves, is the "Echo Copy" of one that was dedicated and consecrated in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery Korea, in Busan, in April, 2001. The Monument in Ottawa will be situated on the north escarpment of Confederation Park, within view of the Parliament Buildings and adjacent to the National Arts Centre. More than 1,000 Canadian Korean War Veterans are expected to participate in the weekend event. The main focus will be on services held at the Monument where Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, Veterans Affairs Minister Dr. Rey Pagtakhan and Defence Minister John McCallum, are scheduled to pay public tribute to the Veterans. The event will be televised nationally by CBC-TV, in a live program format such as that used in the annual November 11 Remembrance Day Ceremonies. Smith____________ said that the Canadian Korean War Commemoration Committee, based in Ottawa and Seoul, Korea, is trying to find the names of surviving relatives of Canadians who were killed in action in Korea. Smith_____________ said that their names and the names of any Korean Veterans wishing to attend the event should be forwarded to him at 345 Green Street, Anytown, Ontario_. He can be reached by telephone at 555-5555. The National event in Ottawa honours not only those who fought in the Korean War, but the thousands of Canadians who served in Korea as the world's first "peacekeepers," following signing of the July 27, 1953 Armistice. The Veterans will gather with the Colours or the Camp Flags from their respective Regiments or Units. It will be the first occasion on which all of the Colours have been paraded together in one location and the first time many of them have ever been shown in Ottawa. More than 30,000 Canadians served in Korea during the war years from 1950 to 1953 and on peacekeeping service from 1953 through 1955.
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We'll send out another Committee Report soon. For the Now, though, remember that we are moving forward together; that we will march proudly along Slater Street in our Nation's Capital; that Canada will be watching us this time and that we will not be forgotten again! May God Bless all who fell in service and all of those good Comrades who have passed on since the Korean War Armistice was signed on that hot summer's morning 50 years ago. Lets rally to the Colours we served under. Let's get us many of our Comrades as possible to attend this singular National Event!
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Photographs of Monuments We have included an illustration of the Monument to Canadian Fallen which stands in the Canadian Graves Section at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery Korea, in Busan. Also one of the "Echo Copy," which is temporarily sited in Windsor, Ontario, while the site is being prepared in Ottawa. The illustrations may not be fully opened when you scroll down to them, depending on your computer speed. You may remove the illustrations, size and edit them for your files by right-clicking with the cursor on the image. Your software will then give you a list of editing | | |

Veterans Respond to News about Monument Dedication
The Committee has received many enthusiastic responses about the Monument Dedication and Korean Veterans Commemoration in Ottawa from Veterans and Friends of Veterans who received the May 23rd Edition of the Committee Report.
The Report advised that Canada's national leaders will honour the more than 30,000 Canadians who served in Korea during the war and peacekeeping session. This will be done in national ceremonies on September 28, that coincide with the dedication of the Monument to Canadian Fallen in Ottawa's Confederation Park.
The first response received came from an area we wished so very much to reach, the wonderful Glace Bay region that has produced so many of Canada's great servicemen and served our Nation so well for many generations.
Is there anyone who did not have at least one person from Glace Bay in their Battalion, Battery, Squadron?
We will let the response speak eloquently for all. We feel it captures the spirit and thoughts of all of Canada's Korean Service Veterans. It is printed below exactly as received.
Let's Rally to the Colours!
Message received from John B. MacNeil, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia:
I thank you very Kindly for the Information on The Korean Veterans National Event to take Place in Ottawa This Year. As a Korean Vet, and President of The Legion Branch, Here in Glace Bay Nova Scotia, I will Pass this on to all our Comrades who Served in Korea. Total Number would be around Fifty. A lot of our Korean Veterans have passed on in the past Ten Years. The Sad part of it is They will never Know That, Finally after All These Years, We are Recognized for our Contribution. May God be With you and Yours John B Mac Neil
There you have it! At long last, the Veterans will be Honoured!
But make no mistake, the Monument being set in place in Ottawa, while it is of great spiritual significance, is still only bronze and stone if spirit and prayer are not abundantly expressed there. This is the big send off for comrades who fell! This is the big cheery hello for them, too! The Government leaders of today will be officially welcoming them home!
This is also the Moment that will cement in Canada's history the significance of their magnificent sacrifices. It recognizes, too, sacrifices made by all who served in the Korean theatre during the war and peacekeeping periods.
None came home the same, surely. All were wounded in some way. All brought back the suffering in mind and in heart and have carried it along through life's ceaseless journey.
Soon that Monument in Ottawa will speak not just for those who fell in service, but for all who served. The journey is getting shorter, the marches will all end in the years ahead.
So let it speak for all those who so selflessly served. Those who volunteered to risk their lives for a little nation thousands of miles distant. Those who volunteered to risk their lives because their Government asked them to do it!
Let's make sure that the ceremony will not be conducted with only a luke warm delivery; that the leaders will look for the Korean veterans and see only a few. No, we can't let that happen! We won't let that happen!
We are working hard to try and have all of the Regimental Colours, or in their place, the Regimental and Unit Camp Flags, on parade. Camp Flags will do just as well, if need be. They will speak for the fine Regiments and Supporting Corps Units of the Army and for the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force.
The things is for all veterans to be there with them! It's another call to the Colours! Whether Colours or Camp Flags, let's rally to them and show our Country once again the kind of Canadians who stepped up to the challenges in the Korean War era. Those who bravely defended Korea and gave the United Nations the demonstration of strength and purpose it would have foundered without.
History has since proven that the role of the United Nations Forces in Korea was vital to the preservation of that world body and also to the security of all nations. The efforts of Canadians who served brought peace to Korea - and to other nations which were targeted for aggression - for the past fifty years.
They made the United Nations a viable international mechanism for controlling or defusing major conflicts around the world. What was done for Korea was repeated many times in many other areas throughout the years. And Canadian servicemen were there!
The Korean War was a terrible war and those who fought in it went unsung. The war, the reasons for the war, the reasons for United Nations participation, were all difficult to understand in that day.
But in retrospect the significance of the great gift the servicemen gave to our world cannot be questioned. In Korea, the servicemen established Canada's peacekeeping tradition, which has earned world respect now for half a century.
Those are some of the things that the small Monument we are going to dedicate in Ottawa is about. It reflects the spirit of those who served, of all who served, and that's the significance of it.
Our comrades who fell in service would like that. Lack of appreciation for the efforts of all has been especially poignant for those families whose loved ones fell in service, and especially families of those who fell in battle and are buried so far from their Canadian homes.
The Canadians who served in Korea shared some sterling traits and had some common thoughts. They were all brave, they were all generous to others - to the point of bearing excruciating difficulties, fear and pain - and they all wanted to return home again to their Canada.
Let's represent our Fallen Comrades when we gather together this September in Ottawa. How much they gave to our Nation's Heritage! How much all of the more than 30,000 selfless Canadian volunteers who served in Korea gave to our Nation's Heritage!
Yours in Comradeship.
Canadian Korean War Commemoration Committee
More Information about the Ottawa Dedication Ceremony will be sent out soon. Included will be a simple form to enable us to project how many veterans will be participating. This will help ensure proper planning. Your cooperation is asked and greatly appreciated.
His Excellency Ambassador Cho Myong-haing pays respects at the Monument to Canadian Fallen in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery Korea, in Busan. Ambassador Cho served as Custodian of the Cemetery and strongly supported the Canadian initiative to place the Monument in the Canadian Graves Section. It is the only lifeform statue in the Cemetery.
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Symbolism of Monument to Canadian Fallen
The "Echo Copy" of the Monument to Canadian Fallen is shown at its temporary location in Senator David Croll Park, in Windsor, Ontario. It is secured to a low concrete pad. At its site in Ottawa, the Monument will stand on a massive hand-cut white granite plinth. The stone was drawn from a quarry in the old 25th Brigade area and cut in Korea by Maestro Yoo Yojng-mun, who sculpted, molded and assembled the bronze Monument. The Ottawa site will also be elevated on high ground, with walkways and flowerbeds artistically arranged.
Symbol of Peace
The Monument is one of peace. The design was developed by a Canadian veteran who was moved by the fact that comrades have been buried in lonely ground in Busan for more than half a century, virtually unknown to the rest of the world.
The veteran wanted to put a face on those who fell; let visitors to the Cemetery know who they were and what they were all about. As importantly, he conceived of a Monument that would draw Canadian interest back to those who fell and also to all those who served in Korea so long ago.
Fits Cemetery Architecture
The Monument was kept at life size at the request of the then serving Custodian of the United Nations Cemetery, Ambassador Cho Myong-haing. Mr. Cho wanted to ensure that it would not "overpower" any other memorial structure in the Cemetery and would nicely fit the overall design of the surrounds.
The Monument is devoid of weaponry or signs of war. The serviceman wears battledress, without rank or service designation.
Generations Made Free
There are two Korean children depicted. They represent the generations in Korea who have lived in freedom because of the sacrifices of the Canadians who fell.
The children carry bouquets of Maple Leafs and Roses of Sharon, the mugungwha national flower of Korea. The bouquets represent the closeness that has developed between the two Nations since the end of the fighting. (Canada and Korea are celebrating 40 years of diplomatic relations in 2003).
Those With No Known Grave
There are 21 Maple Leafs in total. They represent the 15 Canadian soldiers who were killed in action but have no known graves, and five Canadian sailors who were lost at sea.
The base of the Monument is fitted with the 1950's insignia of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Names of 516 Fallen
The fascia of the bronze base is deep embossed with the names of all 516 Canadians who lost their lives in Korean service, during the war or on peacekeeping service following the 1953 Armistice.
The plinth, or stone base, is sculpted from white granite that was quarried in the region where the old Canadian Brigade headquarters stood from the end of 1951 through to 1955. ____________________________________________
ALL VETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND NATIONAL CEREMONY IN OTTAWA TO HONOUR CANADA'S KOREAN WAR VETERANS AND DEDICATE A MONUMENT TO THE CANADIAN FALLEN
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May 24, 2003
Dear Korean War Veteran and Friends of the Veterans,
The Report of the Canadian Korean War Commemoration Committee appearing below provides details about a significant National Event that will be held in Ottawa this September 28th. It should be of interest to all of Canada's Korean War Veterans.
Kindly review the Report and consider making plans to attend this important function.
Our National leaders will publicly honour all who served in Korea.
Recipients are invited to E-mail their comments to echocopy@aol.com.
Kindly forward the E-Mail addresses of friends you think might like to receive this information.
If you are interested in promoting the September 28 Ceremonies in your area, we are seeking volunteers! A good start would be duplicating copies of this Report for posting or distribution in your area.
Tnank you, in comradeship,
Canadian Korean War Commemoration Committee Denis Comeau, Canada's Ambassador in Korea, Honourary Chairman LGen (Ret'd) Charles Belzile, Patron MGen (Ret'd) Herbert C. Pitts, Patron Col (Ret'd) B.H. Chip Bowness, Chairman Capt (Ret'd) Pat Dillon, Executive Secretary Col Jules Wermenlinger, Director (Korea) Vince Courtenay, Director (National) Capt (Ret'd) Arthur Lortie, Director (Veterans Liaison) _____________________________________
Korean War Commemoration Committee Preserving Canada's Korean Service Heritage 1950-53 Korea 1953-1957
Honourary Chairman Patron (Peacekeepers) His Excellency Denis Comeau LGen (Ret'd)Charles H. Belzile, CMM, CD Canada's Ambassador in the Republic of Korea Patron (Active Service) MGen (Ret'd) Herbert C. Pitts, MC, CD
Chairman Col (Ret'd) B.H. Chip Bowness, MSM, CD
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April 23, 2003 Edition Committee Report to Korean War Veterans and Friends
Dedication of Monument to Canadian Fallen in Nation's Capital to Honour all of Canada's Korean War Veterans
Our Fellow Korean War and Peacekeeping Veterans,
The Committee is a not-for-profit organization that pursues the object of commemorating the achievements of Canadians who served in Korea. It is the successor to the Canadian Veterans Korean War Commemoration Committee, which operated for nearly three years from its base at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul.
This edition of the Committee Report has news about an important major national event that should be of interest to all Korean War veterans.
We would greatly appreciate it if you will share this information with your friends in KVA Units, Legion Branches or other veterans organizations.
At long last, Canada's Korean War veterans are going to be honoured in Canada's National Capital!
All Veterans Encouraged to Attend National Ceremony in Ottawa to Honour Canada's Korean War Veterans and Dedicate Monument to Canadian Fallen
Ottawa (May 23, 2003) - A significant national ceremony honouring all of Canada's Korean War Veterans will be held here on September 28, 2003.
The event will be sponsored by the Canadian Heritage Ministry, in cooperation with Veterans Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence.
A central part of the program focuses on the official dedication of the "Echo Copy" of the Monument to Canadian Fallen, which will be sited in the heart of downtown Ottawa.
This Monument is a slightly enlarged "twin" of the one that was dedicated and consecrated in the Canadian Graves Section of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery Korea in Busan, in April, 2002.
The "Echo Copy" Monument was sculpted, cast and assembled by the same Korean sculptor, Maestro Yoo Young-mun, who produced the original work.
It was flown to Canada last year and erected for temporary public display in Windsor, Ontario, in December.
Ownership of the "Echo Copy" of the Monument has now transferred to the National Capital Commission (NCC). The NCC is preparing a premier site for it on the north escarpment of Confederation Park, close to the National Arts Centre.
The stone base for the bronze monument is being sculpted in Korea by Mr. Yoo. It will be shipped to Canada within the next few weeks.
"The September event in Ottawa entails more than the dedication of the Monument, although that, in itself is highly significant," said Colonel Chip Bowness, chairman of the Canadian Korean War Commemoration Committee.
"It will bring together several of our national leaders," he explained. "They will honour and acknowledge the great role played in Korea by more than 30,000 Canadian men and women volunteers who served by land, sea and air," Bowness said.
"This significant dedication event will ensure that the efforts of all those volunteers will now become a permanent part of the Nation's history!"
Preliminary plans envision the Camp Flags (Regimental Colours preferred) of all Units that served in Korea being paraded enmasse in Ottawa.
This would be the first time ever that the Camp Flags or Colours of the Princess Patricia's, The Royal Canadian Regiment, The Royal 22nd Regiment, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), Royal Canadian Artillery and other supporting units have been presented together in Ottawa.
The Colours of the former Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force will also be shown.
The Colours or Camp Flags of the peacekeeping units, the Queens Own Rifles of Canada, the Royal Highland Regiment of Canada, the Canadian Guards and the Royal Canadian Dragoons are also being requested.
"We would like to see as many Korean War veterans as possible at this special event," said Korean veteran and Council Director Arthur Lortie.
"At long last, after more than 50 years, those of us who served in Korea are now going to be officially 'welcomed home,' by our National leaders," Lortie said.
He added that plans are being discussed by volunteers in Ottawa to arrange special transportation rates and reduced hotel accommodation rates for veterans, their families and others who wish to participate in the program.
In addition to the Monument dedication, there will be a stirring march to the Monument site by all of the veterans behind the Camp Colours (or Regimental Colours, if possible) of the Units they served in.
At this point, CBC-TV is involved in preliminary plans for a live nationwide broadcast of the events. It would be similar in scope to the network's national coverage of the November 11th Remebrance Day services.
Other activities are planned which will make it easy for participants to enjoy the many attractions available in Ottawa.
More information will be issued in subsequent copies of the Committee Report. Copies of the Report are available to anyone requesting same from echocopy@aol.com.
Canadian Korean War Commemoration Committee Involved in Many Significant Cultural Programs
The Canadian Korean War Commemoration Committee is the successor organization to the Canadian Veterans Korean War Commemoration Committee, which was organized in Seoul, Korea, in 1999.
The predecessor Committee was responsible for a number of projects in Korea. The major initiative was raising funds for the Monument to Canadian Fallen and handling all of the work required to get it sculpted, cast, assembled and erected in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery Korea, in Busan.
Some of the other programs in Korea included:
o Refurbishment of the PPCLI Monument near Naechon, which was the site of the 1951 Battle of Kapyong (paid for by a grant from Canada's Defence Millenium Fund).
o Refurbishment of the entire Canadian Memorial Park (paid for by Kapyong County) where the PPCLI and Canadian Monument is located.
o Complete refurbishment of the Canadian Monument, including replacement of face stones and installation of new aprons and walkways (also paid for by Kapyong County).
o Founding the Canadian Reference section in the Kapyong Public Library.
o Development of Commemorative plaques for two schools founded by Canadian peacekeepers.
o Ugrading of the Canadian exhibit in the Korean National War Memorial in Seoul.
o The Chairman of the Council, Colonel Chip Bowness, personally retrieved large commemoration stones from Hill 355 in the heavily mined Demilitarized Zone. The stones will be designed into the garden architecture of the planned new Canadian Embassy in Seoul.
The predecessor and current Committee have both been strongly supported by Canada's Ambassadors in Korea. Two of them have served as Honourary Chairmen (but active ones).
His Excellency Arthur Perron was Honourary Chairman from 2000 through most of 2001.
His successor, His Excellency Denis Comeau, served as Chairman of the predecessor Committee from September, 2001 to August 22, 2002. On that date the predecessor Committee was dissolved and all of its officers and directors were honourably retired from their positions.
Ambassador Comeau has been Honourary Chairman of the successor organization, the Korean War Commemoration Committee, since its establishment on August 22, 2002.
The Korean War Commemoration Committee continues to pursue commemoration initiatives, both in Canada and Korea. In so doing, it seeks to further Canada-Korea relations.
We Will Never Forget You Brave Sons of Canada!
Eulogy sung (in Korean) by Suk-po Elementary School Choir at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan. A performance is planned for Ottawa.
WE WON'T FORGET YOU, BRAVE SONS OF CANADA, WE'LL REMEMBER YOU LAID DOWN YOUR LIVES.
WE SEE YOUR FACES ALL SHINING SO SWEETLY, IN EVERY CALM DAY THAT BLESSES OUR LAND
WE REJOICED TO SEE YOU, TO KNOW THAT YOU CARED, WE WEPT WITH SORROW FOR THOSE WHO FELL.
WE ARE STILL WEEPING BECAUSE CANADA'S SONS DIED IN OUR KOREA, SO THAT WE COULD LIVE. Copyright Vincent R. Courtenay
Committee Officers and Directors
Executive Secretary Director (Korea) Major (Ret'd) Pat Dillon, CD Col Jules Wermenlinger, CD
Director (National) Director (Veteran's Liaison) Vince Courtenay, MA, Litt D (Hon) Capt (Ret'd) Arthur Lortie, CD
Special Advisors and Consultants
Dave Davidson, CD Mr. Chi Kap-chong, OBE KVA National President Chairman, Korean War Allies Association (Korea)
His Excellency Cho Myong-haing Maestro Yoo Young-mun Executive Director (Retired) Artistic Consultant United Nations Memorial Uijongbu, Korea Cemetery Korea
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