Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
A new memorial plaque will commemorate the soldiers and CNR crew members who died during the 1950 Canoe River disaster.
Funded through the efforts of the Jasper Korean community, the plaque was unveiled on July 15 at Jasper鈥檚 cenotaph, located on Geikie Street across from the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion.
On Nov. 21, 1950, a troop train and a CNR train collided head-on outside Valemount, killing 17 soldiers and four engine crew members.
The soldiers had been on their way to fight in the Korean War (1950-53), where more than 26,000 Canadians served on land, sea and air.
Over 500 Canadians lost their lives in the conflict and thousands were injured.
Dong Han, who spearheaded the project, spoke during the unveiling ceremony to thank those who gave their lives during the Korean War.
Han also quoted former South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
鈥淪he said that Canadian sons and daughters who answered Canada鈥檚 and the United Nation鈥檚 call, these Canadians who died, they never knew the country of Korea, never met Korean people and never stepped foot on Korean soil,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e owe a debt to these Canadians, a debt that never will be paid. Their lives were sacrificed for us.鈥�
Han has spent years advocating for Canadian soldiers who fought in the Korean War.
鈥淚 think what鈥檚 important to note, looking at this sign here, Mr. Han鈥檚 efforts over the last number of decades changed the Korean conflict to what it basically was鈥攖he Korean War,鈥� said Greg Key, vice-president of the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion.
鈥淭hat was a big move, because it gave veterans in Canada and veterans around the world and it gave veterans in Korea a sense of purpose as well as other benefits later on.鈥�
Han has also been involved in securing the land for Valemount鈥檚 memorial for the Canoe River disaster, a project that is currently ongoing.
鈥淚 want to thank Mr. Han for all his hard work, working with the Korean community, to be able to raise a significant amount of money to be able to purchase this plaque as well as have some money for us to go forward towards the long-term memorial park in Valemount,鈥� Key added.
