RARWA commensurate with the Korean Veterans WA marked the 66th anniversary of the July 27, 1953, armistice and cease-fire that ended the Korean War. A memorial service was held this morning at the Flame of Remembrance, Kings Park Gardens. The ceremony began at 10am and the RARWA hosted the Korean Veterans WA and their families accordingly. The service lasted approximately an hour and ended at 11am. In attendance were Korean War veterans along with surviving family members of those who died. State government dignitaries as well as RSL wardens assisted in the ceremony.
The Mounting of Catafalque Party was provided by the Christ Church Grammar School Cadets and the ceremony MC was RARWA President Mr Peter Heeney. Other contributions to the ceremony were a Welcome to Country given by Ms Di Ryder. Prayers and Readings were conducted by Padre Keith Moodie. The Korean Veteran’s Address was given by Mr Jin-Kil Lee and the Commemorative Address by Brigadier Peter Moore, 13th Brigade Commander. Wreaths were then laid by respective parties followed by the Presentation of the Ambassador for Peace Medals. These were given out by Mr Jin-Kil Lee assisted by the Vice President RARWA Mr Kevin O’Halloran. The Ode was then recited by Mr John Burridge MG. The ceremony was also attended by state government official’s and dignitaries.
We would also like to advise members of the announcement made by the State Minister for Veterans Issues, the Hon. Peter Tinley AM., regarding the Korean memorial for Kings Park. The Minister said that the State Government had made a decision to permit and facilitate the construction of an additional memorial in Kings Park, this to be dedicated to servicemen of the Korean campaign. The Minister acknowledged that there was a fair way to go in terms of funding, location and design, but the memorial would proceed. There were 34 tri-service West Australians of the Australian Defence Force who died during the Korean War. More than two million Koreans and close to one million Chinese also perished during the war, which lasted from June 25, 1950, until the 1953 armistice and cease-fire.
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