The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence, along with the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs and other dignitaries, participated today in the unveiling of the Korea Memorial Monument in Spencer Smith Park, Burlington, Ontario.
This historic monument is dedicated to the eight Canadian Naval Destroyers that served in the Korean War from June 1950 until the armistice of July 1953 and patrolling thereafter until September 1955. It will also honour the nine crew members who were either killed in action, lost at sea, or died in service, as their names will be inscribed on the monument.
Quick Facts
- The Korea Memorial Monument sits adjacent to the existing Naval Ship's Memorial Monument dedicated to recognizing the critical Canadian contribution to war at sea through the many hundreds of ships that served during the Second World War, under either the White Ensign of the Royal Canadian Navy, or the “Red Duster” of the Canadian Merchant Navy.
- The project to erect the Korea Memorial Monument was initiated by members of Korea Veterans Association Unit 26 in Hamilton and The Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Haida Association.
- The first Canadian military response to the Korean War, which erupted on June 25, 1950, was made by the RCN less than two weeks later when three destroyers, HMC Ships Cayuga,Athabaskan and Sioux set sail on 5 July for the Far East.
- Over the course of the five years, the RCN deployed its entire available destroyer force of eight ships to the Korean theatre: the Tribal-class destroyers HMC Ships Athabaskan, Cayuga, Huron, Iroquois, Nootka, and Haida; the V-class destroyer HMCS Sioux; and the Cr-class destroyer HMCS Crusader. All of these ships made multiple deployments, typically for a year at a time away from home port; and they performed a variety of tasks, including escort, interdiction, fire support at points around the peninsula, and maintenance of sea control that enabled land forces to operate freely without concern of threats from the sea.
- Today’s Royal Canadian Navy continues the legacy of swift reply to the call of duty, comprised of an agile and flexible fleet of ships and submarines capable of responding rapidly and decisively whenever and where ever called upon to do so by the Government of Canada.
Quotes
“We must always remain grateful to our veterans of the Korean War, which was one of Canada’s most important military engagements. It is imperative that those who fought and gave their lives are not forgotten. I applaud the work done to create this monument, which will help preserve the legacy of our Veterans and a chapter in our nation’s history.”
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls and
Minister of National Defence
“Monuments like the one in Burlington are a focal point for community remembrance, reflection and commemoration. Over the coming years, the Government of Canada will recognize the centennial of the First World War and the 75th anniversary of the Second World War. This is a time for all Canadians to recognize our proud heritage and honour those who served and continue to serve our country by upholding the values of peace and freedom.”
The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs
“This monument will be a lasting tribute to the sailors who served during this conflict and the ships they sailed on. It speaks to the proud history of the Royal Canadian Navy and its enduring contributions to international peace and security.”
Vice Admiral Mark Norman, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy