Korean War Veterans Day marked with ceremony at Burnaby memorial

The Ambassador of Peace Korean War Memorial is seen during the ceremony in Burnaby Saturday. (CTV News)

More than 100 people gathered at the Korean War memorial in Burnaby’s Central Park Saturday morning to mark the 72nd anniversary of the armistice that ended the conflict.

The wreath-laying ceremony also marked the 12th annual Korean War Veterans Day, which was designated a day of remembrance via an act of Parliament in 2013.

MPs, MLAs, local politicians, active-duty members of the Canadian Forces, veterans, police, firefighters and community members all turned out for Saturday’s ceremony at the Ambassador of Peace Korean War Memorial.

In addition to the wreath-laying, attendees at Saturday’s event took in Korean choir and drum performances.

“We just want to commemorate and honour the Korean War veterans,” said Michael Chang, president of the Western Canada chapter of the Korean Veterans Association.

Among the United Nations forces, Canada sent the third-most troops of any nation, with more than 26,000 deployed, nearly a third of the country’s military at the time.

“They sent 30 per cent of all forces to Korea,” Chang said. “In 1950, I think nobody even knew where Korea was.”

While Saturday was the 72nd anniversary of the armistice, this year is the 75th since the war began.

Veterans of the conflict are now typically in their 90s, if they’re still alive, said Chang.

“That means, you know, a lot of them, sadly, pass away every year,” he said. “So, every year has kind of a special meaning for the veterans.”