PETER GOLDRING REMEMBERS KOREAN CONFLICT

OTTAWA – Edmonton East Member of Parliament Peter Goldring has paid tribute to “The Forgotten War” veterans in a statement in the House of Commons.

The armed conflict, which began in 1950, ended not with a peace treaty but with an armistice in July 1953 and tensions between North and South Korea remain high, with the war still not resolved.

Thirty thousand Canadians served in the Korean War as part of a United Nations mission. The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry received an American presidential citation for their heroic accomplishments against unbelievable odds, protecting the capital city of Seoul against possible capture in the battle of Kap’yong in April 1951.

Mr. Goldring says he would have spoken on the anniversary of that battle, but the House of Commons was not sitting due to the election campaign.

“I have had the opportunity to visit the United Nations War Memorial Cemetery in Korea where 378 of the 516 Canadians, who paid the ultimate sacrifice, were laid to rest, it is a truly moving sight,” he says. “It is important that Canadians learn about this period in our history and the sacrifices our soldiers made for freedom.

The full text of Mr. Goldring’s statement is as follows:

THE WAR STILL ON HOLD

Mr. Speaker:

The war in Korea, the forgotten war, a war still on hold; still not resolved. The war that was never declared but, make no mistake, it was a war.

30,000 Canadians served under severe conditions. They gave a small, beleaguered nation the opportunity to be free. The price of this freedom was 516 who never came home, who never grew old.

The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry received an American presidential citation for their heroic accomplishments against unbelievable odds, protecting the capital city of Seoul against possible capture in the battle of Kap’yong.

Patrick O’Connor of the Royal Canadian Regiment was killed one day after penning these poignant words:

There is blood on the hills of Korea

It’s the gift of the freedom they love

May their names live in glory forever

And their souls in Heaven above