Korean War Vets Convene
By Brenda Koller
Contributing Writer
Over 200 veterans from 16 nations that fought together under the United Nations flag in the Korean War (1950-53) gathered in Seoul last Thursday.
The commemorative banquet, held at the Universal Arts Center, was a joint collaboration of the U.N. Peace Forces of the Korean War Memorial Federation (UPKMF) and the Universal Peace Federation (UPF).
The program included speeches by UPKMF officials and others as well as retired general Paik Sun-yup, described as a ``hero of the Korean War and the torchlight of Korea.''
In emotional speeches, some unable to hold back tears, the speakers all thanked the veterans and their families for their contributions to the defense of Korea and humanity's struggle for lasting peace.
At a time when people are ardently hoping and working for peace on the Korean Peninsula, speakers also emphasized the importance of a peaceful unification of the two Koreas as a model for global peace.
The Rev. Chung Hwan Kwak, chairman of UPF International, served with the U.N. Peace Force during the war.
He said that Korea is ``built on the foundation of blood, sweat and tears of veterans.'' He also said that the Korean War has faded from the memory of many people but its place in history should never be forgotten. ``If the nations had not been willing to fight, just imagine what might have happened?”
``You (veterans) were protecting not only a small nation in the East but the freedom and peace of people in the free world,'' he said.
Ken Gawthorn of the Korea Veterans Association of Canada was part of a contingent of 11 Canadian war veterans to return to Seoul for the event.
Gawthorn served in Korea from Dec. 1950 to Nov. 1951 with one of the first battalions to arrive. This was his first time back in Korea since the war, saying he was happy to be here.
When asked about his most vivid memories of the war, Gawthorn replied, ``You get over the memories as you get older. But I remember how hard the Koreans worked.’’
His jacket was adorned with medals of honor.
Gawthorn also served in World War II for five and a half years from the age of 16.
Guests thoroughly enjoyed a spectacular performance of traditional Korean dance and song by the ``Little Angels.’’
The Korean youngsters expressed their sincere gratitude to the veterans and presented them with commemorative medallions.
The UPKMF was founded for the purpose of honoring the soldiers who fought as part of the U.N. Peace Keeping Forces during the Korean War.
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