By JONATHON HOWARD
A SOLITARY figure stood at attention near the Leslie Park Cenotaph on Saturday, 27 July, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War.
The figure was Warwick Korean War veteran, Graham F.J. Husband, who said he was at a loss to know why the event was not commemorated by the local RSL Sub-Branch, or other local community organisations.
“It is a sad situation when 340 of Australia’s finest who gave their lives in Korea are totally ignored locally,” he said.
“At present there are 15 Korean veterans in Korea sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs to commemorate the significant occasion of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the armistice.
“In April, July and November this year there will have been 32 Australian veterans involved in a re-visit trip to Korea, totally sponsored by the Korean patriots and the Korean Government.
“These veterans are treated royally by the Koreans who value their contribution to Korea’s peace and prosperity which is in stark contrast to the way they are ignored here.”
Mr Husband heaped praise on US President Barack Obama who delivered a stirring speech on Saturday, 27 July.
President Obama urged Americans to take time out from their ‘hurried lives’ to listen to the heroic stories of Korean War veterans who returned to a country weary of war and deserved a better homecoming.
“Unlike the Second World War, Korea did not galvanise our country. These veterans did not return to parades,” Obama said in a speech at the Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall, marking the 60th anniversary of the war’s end.
“Unlike Vietnam, Korea did not tear at our country. These veterans did not return to protests. For many Americans tired of war, there was it seemed a desire to forget, to move on,” Mr Obama said.
“They deserve better,” the president said, adding that on this anniversary, perhaps the highest tribute we could offer our veterans of Korea was to do what should have been done the day they came home.
The 1950-’53 war involved North Korean and Chinese troops against US-led United Nations and South Korean forces.
It ended on July 27, 1953 – 60 years ago last Saturday – with the signing of an armistice.
But a formal peace treaty was never signed, leaving the Korean Peninsula in a technical state of war and divided at the 38th parallel between its communist north and democratic south.
At least 2.5 million people were killed in the Korean War and more than 17,000 Australians fought alongside United Nations forces.
The Free Times attempted to contact the Warwick RSL Sub-Branch but was unable to make contact before deadline.
