Statement from Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown thanking veterans of the Korean War
“Today, we commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of the Canadian Armed Forces in the Korean War (1950-1953).
“In the air, on land and sea, Canadians fought to repel the communist invaders. Whether it was at the Battle of Kapyong, on Hill 355, or off the Korean coast, our sailors, soldiers and aviators answered the call to service.
“More than 26,000 brave Canadians fought during the war, and thousands more continued that service after the signing of the armistice.
“Sadly, the Korean peninsula remains divided. In the South, there is a thriving democracy, religious freedom, free elections and a prosperous economy. In the North, there is only darkness due to the despotic rule of the Kim family. Koreans north of the 38th parallel continue to suffer at the hands of a rogue regime which imposes intergenerational punishment, forced abortions, torture and starvation on its people while it pursues a reckless nuclear weapons program.
“I hope to see the day that all Koreans can live in freedom, free from persecution.
“We continue to remember the 516 courageous Canadians who gave up their lives in the first three years of the Korean War. They are forever memorialized at the Korean War Memorial Wall in Brampton, in the Books of Remembrance in the Peace Tower in Ottawa, and in the hearts of loved ones.
“We thank them for their courage, bravery and sacrifice.”