We Hear From Readers About ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’

Front cover OnTheWarMememorialTrailinEurope

March 13, 2022. Once ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’ was published, we were delighted to receive a number of photos and emails.  And we were able to meet in person with a few people. (For the original posting about the book, see https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2022/02/19/new-book-no-soldier-buried-overseas-should-ever-be-forgotten/)

…Some of the feedback we’ve received….

PXL_20220221_163612516~3 Feb 21 2022 Brien Robertson with book photo by Moira

Brien Robertson reads the book.  (Photo credit: Moira Robertson)

Brien and Moira Robertson wrote “We received No Soldier… today and have been reading it ever since. Such a wonderful journey telling of your travels and memorializing those lost in the tragedy of wars. And here we go again, thinking about what could happen in Ukraine. Reading the book brings home the thought that all wars are really civil wars. Lives lost for nothing. Great job telling the story so not to forget those lost. We are proud to be your friends….

IMG_1581 Feb 18 2022 Mindy Patrick with Daria

Mindy Patrick and Daria with the book.  (Photo courtesy of Valkenburg family collection)

Mindy Patrick wanted a book for her father, a veteran who served in the US Coast Guard.

DSCN2378 Feb 22 2022 Don and Nora Coutts at North Bay Public Library

Don and Nora Coutts at the North Bay Public Library in Ontario. (Photo taken by Brad Jacobs)

Don Coutts, nephew of WW2 pilot Elmer Bagnall MUTTART, who is featured in the book, explained he ordered copies for himself and for the North Bay Public Library in North Bay, Ontario, where his wife Nora is Head of Children’s Services and Deputy CEO.

(See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/10/17/on-the-war-memorial-trail-the-presentations-at-hannemahuis-in-harlingen/ for comments made by Don during the presentation in The Netherlands in 2019 to honour his uncle and the crew of Halifax L9561.)

Alexander Tuinhout of the Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation: Original comment in Dutch: “…We hebben het boek “No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten” besteld en inmiddels ook al uit Canada ontvangen. Hoewel we nog geen tijd hebben gehad om alles te lezen is de eerste indruk voortreffelijk! Zo’n publicatie is een monument op zich en zeker een felicitatie waard!…

(English translation by Pieter: We ordered the book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’ and have already received it from Canada. Although we haven’t had time to read everything yet, the first impression is excellent! Such a publication is a monument in itself and certainly worth congratulating!…”)

The Missing Airmen Memorial Foundation organized the memorial panel to honour Elmer Bagnall MUTTART and the crew of Halifax L9561.  During the events in October 2019, Alexander gave a presentation on the crew and what happened on October 12, 1941.  You can watch part of his presentation in the documentary made about the events.

IMG_0360 Feb 23 2022 Henk Vincent

Henk Vincent, a volunteer at the Holten Cemetery Information Centre, with the book.  (Photo courtesy of H. Vincent)

The work done by the Holten Cemetery Information Centre to remember Canadian soldiers buried in the Canadian War Cemetery in Holten, The Netherlands is ongoing.  Pieter is one of the volunteers helping with photo wish lists for a digital archive.  (For more information on the Info Centre, see https://www.canadesebegraafplaatsholten.nl/en/home/)

IMG_6170 (1) Feb 25 2022 Alan McIvor

Alan McIvor, nephew of WW2 Flight Officer Joseph ‘Joe’ Charles McIver, wrote a book on his uncle’s service. (Photo courtesy of A. McIvor)

Alan McIvor wrote …Congratulations on your book, “NO SOLDIER BURIED OVERSEAS.”  Good work.  I am sure it was a labour of love but lots of work, research, writing and editing…

Alan’s uncle, WW2 Flight Officer Joseph ‘Joe’ Charles MCIVER of Kinkora, Prince Edward Island, was one of the names listed on the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion – the research project that launched this blog.

(See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/2019/08/17/the-ww2-flight-officer-whose-plane-went-down-while-on-patrol-near-the-arctic-circle/)

CIMG5511 Feb 25 2022 Daria with Susan & Charlie

Daria visits with Susan and Charlie Choi. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

Last fall, Charlie CHOI, who was 4 years old when the Korean War started in June 1950, shared his memories in a 3 part series.  If you missed these postings, please see:

CIMG5506 Feb 21 2022 Daria with Mary Ann Greiner

Daria with Mary Ann Greiner.  (Photo credit: Pieter Valkenburg)

Mary Ann Greiner has an abiding interest in military history. Pieter and I were able to meet with her and her husband Rick, a US army veteran.

20220303_202843 Mar 3 2022 John Davis photo by Susan

John Davis is the author of ‘Outside Time Looking In’, which features two alternative history stories.  (Photo credit: Susan Choi)

John Davis is the author of ‘Outside Time Looking In’, featuring two alternative history stories, and which I’ve read with great interest.  (See https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/john-davis/outside-time-looking-in/paperback/product-18rekkpk.html?page=1&pageSize=4)

Thank you to everyone who sent in comments and photos with themselves with the book, and for your support. Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com, comment on the blog, or tweet to @researchmemori1.

…Book trailer and website….

Thanks to the amazing talents of Wendy Nattress, who does the post-production editing for the On The War Memorial Trail YouTube Channel, we have a book website: see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/.  The website has a book description, preview pages, and ordering information.

Wendy also prepared a short book trailer…

…Want to follow our research?….

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following the blog, you are welcome to do so.  See https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/ or email me at dariadv@yahoo.ca and ask for an invitation to the blog. 

goodreads-badge-add-plus-71eae69ca0307d077df66a58ec068898Daria’s book No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten is now available.  For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

You are also invited to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw

© Daria Valkenburg

PEI Korean War Veterans Luncheon Hosted By The Embassy Of The Republic of Korea

IMG_20210920_113547 Sep 20 2021 Korean Vets welcome sign at Borden Carleton Legion

Welcome Korean Vets sign greeted visitors for the luncheon.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

September 24, 2021. As summer ends and the lead-up to Remembrance Week begins, various events that honour our military veterans occur, and we were delighted to be able to participate in one special luncheon a few days ago….

On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea hosted a luncheon for Korean War Veterans.  The event was organized by PEI Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, and held at the Borden-Carleton Legion.

Branch volunteers prepared a delicious roast beef dinner for the honoured guests.

CIMG5301 Sep 21 2021 Korean vets luncheon volunteers who prepared lunch and hall

Branch volunteers for the luncheon, left to right:  Sharon Noonan, Arthur Ranahan, Keith Sigsworth, Alma Sigsworth.  Not in photo: Kathy Henry.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG5298 Sep 21 2021 Korean vets luncheon table is set

The table setting.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

….The Korean Delegation…

Representing the Embassy of the Republic of Korea were Col. Keun-sik MOON, the Defence Attaché, his wife Sun-ok BAN, and So-sun SUH, Assistant to the Defence Attaché.

CIMG5313 Sep 21 2021 Korean Embassy reps Korean vets luncheon

From left to right: So-sun Suh, Sun-ok Ban, and Col. Keun-sik Moon.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

 ….The Korean War Veterans…

Korean War Veterans present were:

CIMG5305 Sep 21 2021 Arthur Hiscock Korean vets luncheon

Arthur Hiscock. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • Arthur ‘Art’ HISCOCK of Summerside.

CIMG5304 Sep 21 2021 Victor MacFadyen & daughter Paula MacFadyen Korean vets luncheon

Vic MacFadyen with his daughter Paula MacFadyen. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • Victor ‘Vic’ MACFADYEN, formerly of Canoe Cove and now living in Cornwall.

CIMG5308 Sep 21 2021 Elsie and Elwin Sherren Korean vets luncheon

Elwin Sherren, with his wife Elsie. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • Elwin SHERREN, formerly of Crapaud and now living in Cornwall.

CIMG5311 Sep 21 2021 Joyce and Blaine Taylor Korean vets luncheon

Blaine Taylor, with his wife Joyce. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • Blaine TAYLOR of Burlington.

CIMG5306 Sep 21 2021 David and June Vessey Korean vets luncheon

David Vessey with his wife June. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

  • David VESSEY of Summerside.

….The Royal Canadian Legion Members…

Representing the Royal Canadian Legion from PEI Command were Provincial President Duane MacEwen, with his wife Ann, and Chairperson/Public Relations officer John Yeo, with his wife Norma. The Borden-Carleton Branch was represented by Mario Henry, Sgt at Arms, and Pieter Valkenburg, Public Relations Officer.

CIMG5310 Sep 21 2021 Duane and Ann MacEwen Korean vets luncheon

Duane MacEwen with his wife Ann.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG5315 Sep 21 2021 John and Norma Yeo Korean vets luncheon

John Yeo with his wife Norma.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The Korean War was a conflict fought between North and South Korea from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953.  Unfortunately, it has yet to be resolved.  During the welcome and greetings, John Yeo noted that “…it took a long time for the Canadian government to recognize Korean vets….” He explained that “…a dedicated monument was unveiled in Ottawa on September 28, 2003…

…Remarks by Col. Keun-sik Moon…

The Korean hosts told us that September 21, 2021 was Korean Thanksgiving, called ‘Chuseok’, a harvest festival. This three-day holiday is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar on the full moon.  Therefore, the date of the luncheon was particularly appropriate.

Col. Moon explained that he was “…here to express our gratitude to the veterans and their families, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Korea...

Addressing the veterans, he continued. “…70 years ago, under the banner of the United Nations, more than 26,000 Canadians bravely fought communism in distant Korea.  What made you take on this journey was your mission to protect the noble cause of freedom and peace and great humanitarianism…. Thanks to your sacrifice, Korea now enjoys freedom and economic prosperity…

Giving a brief summary of 1950s era Korea, Col. Moon told us that “…in 1950 Korea was a very poor, agrarian nation, where the fields were ploughed by oxen, the rice planted and reaped by hand, and where millions lived in small huts…

He assured the veterans that “…your blood shed in an unknown land and the tears of your families who endured the pains and grief from missing family were never in vain….”  Because of the peace that followed the conflict,…the Republic of Korea has achieved economic development and democratization….I sincerely hope the day will come when the veterans will see a peacefully reunified Republic of Korea…

Following the lunch and speeches, the Korean hosts surprised and charmed us by singing two songs: ‘Amazing Grace’ in English, and ‘Arirang’, a Korean folk song that speaks about leaving, reunion, sorrow, joy, and happiness.

…A Wreath Is Laid …

The official events over, and after gifts were presented to the veterans, everyone moved outside for the wreath laying ceremony by the Cenotaph.

CIMG5324 Sep 21 2021 Mario Henry & Col Moon with wreath outside Cenotaph Korean vets luncheon

Mario Henry with Col. Keun-sik Moon prepare to lay at wreath at the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG5327 Sep 21 2021 Duane Col Moon Mario John by Cenotaph Korean vets luncheon

Left to right: Duane MacEwen, Col. Keun-sik Moon, Mario Henry, John Yeo.  (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

CIMG5330 Sep 21 2021 Flowers and wreath by Cenotaph Korean vets luncheon

Flowers and wreath laid by the Cenotaph outside the Borden-Carleton Legion. (Photo credit: Daria Valkenburg)

The luncheon and remembrance of their service was appreciated by the veterans and their family members.  Kudos go to the Borden-Carleton Legion, PEI Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea for organizing this event.

Pieter encourages blog readers to contact him if they have a story to share about Canadians who served. You can email him at dariadv@yahoo.ca, comment on the blog, or send a tweet to @researchmemori1.

© Daria Valkenburg