It was a meeting Dong Han won鈥檛 soon forget.
The long time Jasper resident, commonly known as Grandpa, met United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, while the international diplomat was in town, Aug. 18.
Han was hand selected by RCMP Sgt. Rick Bidaisee just hours before meeting the secretary-general who stayed at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.
鈥淚 was so excited and uptight, but as soon as I saw him and met his eyes it was like meeting an old friend,鈥� said Han.
鈥淲e talked about his village and where he came from, it was amazing,鈥� said Han, reflecting on the once-in-a-lifetime meeting.
Prior to meeting the secretary-general, Han was asked to remove everything from his pockets and wait in a room with the secretary general鈥檚 security team while Ki-moon finished a telephone call with Prime Minster Justin Trudeau.
鈥淭he security was so tight,鈥� said Han.
After introducing himself, the two briefly talked about South Korea and their family lineage. As it turns out, the secretary-general grew up in a town not far from where the Han family name originates.
During their brief encounter, which lasted about 10 minutes, the secretary-general asked Han how long he has lived in Canada and how many Korean families live in town. He also expressed how impressed he was by Jasper鈥檚 natural beauty.
鈥淗e told me I was a very fortunate man,鈥� said Han.
During their conversation, Han also took the opportunity to briefly mention his proposal to build a new Canoe River memorial near Valemount.
The monument honours the lives of 17 soldiers and the four Canadian National Railway crewmembers that died in a train accident in 1950. The soldiers were part of a Canadian contingent being sent to Korea as part of a U.S-led United Nations intervention.
Just hours before the meeting, Han scrambled to put together a package for the secretary-general about his proposal, which was ultimately given to the secretary-general鈥檚 security team.
鈥淚 told him I wrote a Korean letter to him and asked him to read it when he had the time,鈥� said Han. 鈥淚 really appreciate the RCMP鈥檚 support to help me put it together.鈥�
According to the proposal, Han would like to build the roadside memorial along Highway 5, a few kilometres south of Valemount.
His proposal includes creating a granite monument with a brass plaque with the names of all 21 men who lost their lives. The monument would also include the Canadian flag, Korean flag and the
U.N. flag. Han estimates it will cost at least $50,000 to complete and is currently trying to raise money through the Korean community in Canada.
鈥淚 am so thankful for their sacrifices,鈥� said Han. 鈥淎nything I can do to honour them and help the community I will pursue for the rest of my life.鈥�
Paul Clarke
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