The federal government has declared 2013 the Year of the Korean War Veteran.
This is the 60th anniversary of the ceasefire that ended Canada’s involvement in that conflict and veterans say the recognition should have come a long time ago.
“The Korean War - it’s sad when you talk to people that never heard of it,” said veteran Bob Nisbet, who served in Korea.
During basic training, Nisbet formed a strong bond with two of his fellow soldiers.
Shortly after they arrived in Korea, the unthinkable happened.
“Within two months, two of them were killed,” said Nesbit. “One was shot and the other got hit by a mortar.”
He proudly wears his poppy year round to honour his friends’ memories and said he wishes Canadians knew more about the Korean War.
Fellow veteran Hugh MacKenzie helped lay the wreath for the Korean War vets at the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
He said Korean War vets were not always treated with the same respect as those who served in other wars.
“When I came home from Korea, there was no bands. No nothing,” he said.
A total of 516 Canadian soldiers died in the Korean War and 1,500 hundred more were wounded.
