Honoring veterans: Airdrie plays hosts for Korean War ceremony – DiscoverAirdrie.com

Today, a ceremony at the Korean War Gapyeong Battle Victory Monument (at the Town and Country Centre) was held to recognize the end of the hostilities of the Korean War.

The Airdrie Legion Branch 288, dignitaries representing the Republic of Korea and local representatives, Airdrie Member of Parliament Blake Richards, and Airdrie Deputy Mayor Darrell Belyk were in attendance.

The monument commemorates the courage of the Veterans from the 2nd Battalion of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Regiment, who bravely fought in the crucial battle from April 22-25, 1951, contributing to the defence of Seoul, the capital of South Korea, during the Korean War.

Kim Harris, a culture specialist with the City of Airdrie stated they are honoured to host such an event.

“We’re proud as Canadians to be part of the Korean War, that legacy and the friendship we share with the Gapyeong over that.”

According to Harris, the plan is to host two ceremonies each year, one in April and one in July to commemorate the war.

Photo of the monument. File photo.

The monument also stands as a symbol of the enduring 60-year diplomatic bond between Canada and Korea.

The stone that the monument is made of was mined and transported from regions in South Korea where key battles were fought during the war.

The Korean War Gapyeong Battle Victory Monument in Airdrie weighs approximately 11.5 tons and stands 2.8 metres tall and 2.2 metres wide.

Langley, Winnipeg, Brampton and Niagara Falls are the other places in Canada to have monuments.

Earlier this year in April a wreath-laying ceremony was held to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong.

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