The Korean War Veteran Internet Journal for the World s Veterans of the Korean War November 7, 2013

Transcription

1 The Korean War Veteran Internet Journal for the World s Veterans of the Korean War November 7, 2013 Minister Julian Fantino Marks Veterans' Week 2013 Former VAC Minister Greg Thompson turns over miniature of Monument to Canadian Fallen to Minister Julian Fantino to preserve the cherished artifact for posterity

2 Three veterans were among the dignitaries at the Ottawa ceremony in which Greg Thompson presented a miniature of the Monument to Canadian Fallen to Minister Julian Fantino. Shown in the photo are (left) retired VAC Minister Greg Thompson and Minister of Public Safety Stephen Blaney, who previously served as Minister of Veterans Affairs before being followed in that position by Minister Julian Fantino. The veterans are Claude Charland, R22eR who played hockey on the Imjin River during the winter he spent in the war, George Guertin, RCN and Bill Black, RCN, president of the National Capital Unit of the Korea Veterans Association of Canada. To Bill s left is Minister Julian Fantino, then Senator Yonah Martin, deputy leader in the Canadian Senate, and to her left is Minister of Justice Minister Peter Mackay, who previously was Minister of National Defence. OTTAWA, Nov. 6, 2013 /CNW/ - In a statement to the House of Commons, the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, marked Veterans' Week 2013 in Canada. Minister Fantino then invited members of Parliament and special guest Veterans to a reception where the Honourable Greg Thompson, former

3 minister of Veterans Affairs, presented an original maquette of the Korean War Monument: Monument to Canadian Fallen to Veterans Affairs Canada. "This year is particularly notable in that it marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. More than 26,000 served during the war and approximately 7,000 continued to serve after the Armistice. In total, 516 made the ultimate sacrifice. Thanks to them, the Republic of Korea has been able to forge a lasting democracy," said Minister Fantino. "Each year, Veterans' Week is an important opportunity to bring vital parts of our history to light, to learn the stories of perseverance from our men and women in uniform, and to show our gratitude." "It is a privilege to donate this maquette so that it may be of continued use to Veterans, Veterans' groups and the public," said former minister Thompson. "Now, under the care of Veterans Affairs Canada, we can be assured that Canadians will benefit and learn from this significant piece of our heritage for generations to come." Former Minister of Veterans Affairs Greg Thompson makes a heartfelt speech as he turns over the miniature of the Monument to Canadian Fallen to Minister Julian

4 Fantino. He found the miniature in a gallery in Seoul during one of the veteran revisit programs and persuaded the gallery owner to part with it. It has been cherished by him for several years was named the Year of the Korean Veteran, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice; and in honour of the great sacrifices of the men and women who have served, July 27th was declared Korean War Veterans Day. Earlier today, Minister Fantino received unanimous consent to table the names of the 516 Canadian who lost their lives during the Korean War as a lasting tribute to their sacrifices. Each year, from November 5 to 11, Canadians join in celebrating Veterans' Week. During Veterans' Week, Canadians are encouraged to show they remember by attending a Remembrance Day ceremony in their community, visiting a local cenotaph or monument, sharing the story of a loved one who served, and wearing a poppy with pride. Learn more and find remembrance events and activities in your area at veterans.gc.ca. SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada Editor s Note regarding the miniature model of the Monument to Canadian Fallen The maquette referred to in the Veterans Affairs Canada news release is not a maquette but one of the miniatures that were cast in Seoul and given to fund raisers who made substantial monetary contributions during the fund raising program to pay for the Monuments, that was conducted in Korea. It is still a significant artifact but it is not a maquette. It was based upon original design drawings submitted by the designer and voluntary program manager, Vince Courtenay. Courtenay worked on several composite miniatures, or maquettes, and it is not clear which local artists were commissioned to develop the various versions. He modified and approved the final composite, which was sent to a local supplier for casting. It is believed that either the gallery operator in Itaewon that contracted out the casting work for the designer, or perhaps some other art shop, came by one of the miniatures. The gallery in Itaewon did retain one for expository purposes but pledged it would not be offered up for sale as it was a commissioned work and the designer holds the international copyright. It was copyrighted to prevent duplication and commercial use of the design.

5 Early composites for miniature of the Monument to Canadian Fallen. These are not maquettes for the fullscale monument, they are composite models, which, when finally revised and approved, will be used to make the molds for the bronze castings that will be assembled into the miniatures. The version at left was scrubbed. After revisions by the designer, Vince Courtenay, he approved the version on the right for casting. These models were used only in developing miniatures for merit award purposes. The only reference used by Mr. Yoo in his studio at Pochon was the designer s original drawings. The artist did an excellent job! No maquette was used in developing the Monuments to Canadian Fallen (one is sited in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan and one adjacent to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa). The artist/sculptor Yoo Young Mun worked with Courtenay in his studio in Pochon, near the DMZ, using only Courtenay s original design drawing. No maquette was referenced.

6 Mr. Yoo developed the Korean version of the Monument in full scale three times in composite, from which the plaster splashes were made as molds for the poured bronze. The bronze was poured at an outdoors foundry located under a canvas awning on a hillside where we once fought during the war years. Mr. Yoo later developed the Ottawa version of the Monument in 110/100 scale, with a modified plinth. The version of the monument that is sited in the UN Cemetery was kept to 100/100 life scale at the request of the Custodian so that it would not tower over any other structures within the cemetery. When both Monuments were completed Mr. Yoo undertook, at the program manager s request, to develop two scale model miniatures of the originals. He produced two very detailed bronze miniatures that are or heirloom quality. They are much different in detail and artistic merit than the donation merit award miniatures that were developed independently by another source. It is gratifying that the Monument to Canadian Fallen has also taken on identity as Canada s Korean War Monument. It was paid for in its entirety by veterans and corporate and individual donors, some units of the Korea Veterans Association of Canada and many branches in Ontario and Quebec of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Canadian Government did not pay for the Monument. However, the Canadian Government did pay for development of the park in which the Monument is sited in Ottawa, including walkways, a special reinforcing pod to hold the monument secure and for weatherproofing and other services. The Monument was dedicate and Consecrated in October, 2003, with 1,000 Korean War Veterans participating, including 100 veterans from the Royal Canadian Navy. Prime Minister Jean Chretien officiated throughout the two-hour long ceremony, which was broadcast live

7 Siting the Monument to Canadian Fallen in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, October, 2001 The Monument to Canadian Fallen as it appears today in the Canadian graves section of the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan. Mister Yoo Young Mun, the artist, painstakingly had the huge granite plinth that he hand cut from stone quarried near the site of the former Canadian brigade headquarters set into place on bed of graduated stones, with hand adjustments made to ensure absolute true level. Note

8 above that the monument is in line with Commonwealth Monument to Those With No Known Graves, seen in near background. Below, he and his helpers look anxiously at the heavy bronze that is being inched into place, suspended from the tong of a hi-low loading machine (left) It doesn t look pretty, more like a hanging, but it was done with utter feelings and it worked perfectly well. The Monument has not budged or quivered even one millimeter out of line since it was set in place ten years ago. It now looks, as it should, a natural part of the cemetery that has been there since the war years.

9

10

11 Moments after the monument was set in place and adjudged level and secure this mother brought her little girl over to show her closeup what we had been up to. The little child had watched fascinated from a distance. Her mother had taken her for a walk on the expansive floral cemetery grounds and the toddler was fascinated by what we were doing in the distance so her mother brought her over for a closeup look. Amazing that the little girl is of the same relative age and size as the little Korean girl depicted on the Monument! That never struck me until 10 years later, when I managed to locate photographs that my wife had saved for me, and there she was the first Korean visitors to see the Monument to Canadian Fallen. By now the little girl would be well into high school. Maybe she will remember something about the sons of Canada we left buried there. Vince Courtenay