KOREA VETERANS ASSOCIATION 
OF CANADA INC

L'ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES VÉTÉRANS DE LA CORÉE

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November 14 Newsletter -Remembrance Day, Canada/Korea

November 18, 2009 Red Millett, brave soldier of three wars, succumbs in veterans hospital

November 19, 2009 Bongwon Monks from Korea hold solemn ceremony in Toronto on November 11 Remembrance Day

November 25, 2009 He was freedom's fearless fighter

November 27, 2009 British soldier who served in the Korean War is remembered

December 1, 2009 Salute to Able Seaman

December 7, 2009 Comrades Never Forgotten


 

December 09, 2009

Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs website contains

information on visit programs


The Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has launched its updated website, covering three special programs in which Veterans and their next of kin or grandchildren are invited to Korea.
Under the International Affairs section of the website, located at www.english.mpva.go.kr three very generous programs are described:


· Veterans Revisit
· Ambassador for Youth (Grandchildren) Visit
· Bereaved Family Member Visit

We reproduce some of those pages here to help spread the information about these generous programs to all Korean War Veterans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·Thank you for visiting the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs website.
This website is to honor patriots and veterans and enhance public awareness of the importance of appreciating and supporting them and their contributions to the freedom and prosperity of our country.

·Despite the recent global economic downturn and its impact on our citizens, our Ministry is taking an even stronger position to recognize and thank those who have made great contributions and sacrifices to our nation.
We hope that our efforts to honor and serve all patriots and veterans will enhance their sense of pride and show to them and all others that Korea is a nation that prevails in the face of all hardships and challenges.

·This year marked another signal event that figures dearly in our country’s history. We celebrated the 90th anniversary of the March 1st Samil Independence Movement of 1919. That is when the People of our Nation united as one and marched against Japanese imperialism. The offshore Provisional Government was formed in Shanghai and became the spiritual pivot for our nation’s hope and great sacrifices to attain freedom.
More than ever we feel the responsibility to carry on the patriotic ideals our ancestors displayed then, and leverage the spirit of the March 1st Independence Movement as a cohesive force for our nation.

·For 2010, which marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, we have put many new programs in place to pay tribute to the Veterans of the United Nations Forces and to our own Republic of Korea Veterans who served side by side during the Korean War.
We will also participate in many of the Commemoration Committee’s programs to honor Veterans within their home countries that cannot come to Korea.

·This new website lists the latest information about support services available to our Patriots and Veterans.
We will continue to do our best as a Ministry that faithfully serves all of our people. The MPVA website is open to everyone.
Thank you for your support, interest and dedication.


KIM, YANG

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs

2009. 11. 30

 

To express gratitude to the United Nations Forces Veterans from all countries and enhance their sense of pride and gratification by allowing them to witness how Korea enjoys peace and prosperity, thanks to their noble sacrifices and dedication


· MPVA has subsidized the Korean Veterans Association (KVA) to implement the program. In the 2010, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, MPVA is taking a more proactive role in planning this program, in consultation with the KVA and the Embassies of 21 UN allied nations.

· Between March and November (To be determined)

· Veteran of the Korean War and 1 guest family member of caregiver

· Approx. 2,400 persons will be invited in 2010, four times the 600 invited in 2009 and previous years.

· Airfare subsidies will be provided, 50% of the cost absorbed for the Veterans and 30% for the guest family member or caregiver.

· * The Government will fully pay the airfare of Veterans and family members coming from Ethiopia, India, Colombia and Turkey

· - Visit to the Seoul National Cemetery, the War Memorial, and the Panmunjeom Armistice negotiations site

· - Visit battle sites relevant to each participating nation, wreath-laying and remembrance ceremonies

· - Official receptions and awards banquets, including recognition by the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs

· The UN Veterans Revisit to Korea program began in 1975. Approximately 26,000 UN veterans have been invited by the end of 2009.

 

 

· This program was initiated in 2003 to enable next of kin family members to visit the graves or the memorials to their Fallen loved ones.
· The MPVA will cover all the expenses including airfare, hotel accommodations and transportation for one member of the bereaved family but only the expenses except airfare for an accompanying family member.
· Selections are made by Korean Embassies abroad, in cooperation with established Korean War Veterans Associations.
Traditionally the program has been held around United Nations Day (October 24th) and includes a visit of seven days and six nights in Korea.

 


Provision is made for 30-to-40 bereaved family members to participate as guests of MPVA.
Participants become acquainted with Korean culture, visit Korean industry to see first hand how the nation has progressed and flourished, and then visit the graves of their loved ones in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery.


· - United Kingdom: 885

· - Turkey: 462

· - Canada: 378

· - Australia: 281

· - Netherlands: 117

· - New Zealand: 34

· - Republic of South Africa: 11

· - Others: 45

· - Total: 2,213

 

To show appreciation for the sacrifice and contributions of the United Nations Forces in the Korean War and to maintain positive ties with third and third generation family members (grandchildren) of those who served

Invitations for this MPVA program are administered through the Korean Embassies abroad, in cooperation with established Korean War Veteran organizations.

They attend lectures and visit historic sites in Korea to become acquainted with the contributions and achievements of their forbears.They sample Korean culture and travel throughout Korea. They view examples of Korean industry and technology, which contrasts vividly with the agrarian nature of Korea during the time that their grandfathers served here.Visits are made to the Demilitarized Zone and to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery

· Event Timing: July Summer Break Period (7 Days 6 Nights)
· Invitees in 2010: 300 descendents of Veterans from the 21 UN Korean War Allied Nations.


In 2009, the first Peace Camp for Youth Program was held with 120 participants from Australia, Canada, Colombia, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Republic of Korea.

CLICK ON THIS LOGO TO OPEN THE MPVA WEBSITE



 

 

Links to Veterans Association websites


 

Above article provided courtesy of the Korean War Veteran, koreavetnews@aol.com