In this the year of the Veteran, it is fitting that secondary schools in Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board are receiving a special gift this Holiday Season - the first book ever published in English and Korean about the Canadian Military history during the Korean War in Canada
"The Korean War has been forgotten and sadly missed out in the school and we hope to preserve the valuable Canadian Military history and heritage as well as to teach students about the Canadian contributions in Korea by publishing our book," says Hoojung Jones, one of the co-authors of the book and Project Director Korea Veterans Association of Canada.
"Canadians Our Heroes 1950-1953 Korean War", written by Ms. Jones and Tom Somers, Vice President Korea Veterans Association of Canada recounts the lives of 516 young volunteer Canadian soldiers (The average age was 22 years old) who were lost during the war. This book is to honour and remember those who served in the Korean War. Also, it will serve to preserve the Canadian military history, heritage and educate Canadian and Korean students. With their courage, bravery and supreme sacrifice, they saved millions of innocent lives - delivered freedom and peace to South Korea fifty years ago. Five hundred and sixteen Canadians made the supreme sacrifice and forty seven and a half million South Koreans now enjoy freedom, peace, liberty and many more generations will continue to live in a democratic country.
"Along with them, the Korean War has been buried in the history and the memory of our government and citizens for over 50 years. Therefore, we would like to believe that their souls are now living in our book as their names are listed in the book and making the history alive for students," says Ms. Jones. "We hope this book also gives some comfort and closure to the families of those fallen heroes."
The book will be used as an important vehicle to reach many youths in Canada and Korea. Thanks to the Korea Veterans Association of Canada, each secondary school will receive a copy of "Canadians Our Heroes 1950-1953 Korean War."
