ON a cold Wagga winter’s morning, seven Korean War veterans on Monday remembered a much bleaker time in their lives – when as young men they fought in sub-zero temperatures in a foreign land against overwhelming enemy forces and with the fate of the free world in the balance.
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Along with about 50 supporters, the veterans marked the 62nd anniversary of the Korean War ceasefire with a commemorative service in the Victory Memorial Gardens.
The war began on June 25, 1950, with North Korea’s invasion of South Korea. A ceasefire came into effect on July 27, 1953.
The war claimed the lives of 339 Australians, including 44 Riverina men.
The commemorative service’s keynote address was delivered by Kildare Catholic College Year 10 students Coen Brand and Amelia Preuss
“The Korean War was more than just a fight between the north and the south, it was more than just a fight for supremacy by global superpowers – the US and its allies and the USSR and its allies respectively,” said Coen.
“It was a fight for the ensured peace of the entire world post World War II.”
“The Korean War was of importance not only to the rest of the world, but to Australia specifically,” Amelia said.
“Australia’s willingness to honour the ANZUS treaty and commit troops to the war became an indication of bravery and incorruptible Anzac spirit that is still shown in Australia’s actions today.”
Seven Korean veterans attended Monday’s service – Harry Edmonds, Alan Evans, Bob Menzies Colin Anderson Alex Ouchirenko, Norm Jeffs, Stan Wood and John Laughton. Rex Evans, of Wagga, also fought in the Korean War but did not attend the service.
A number of the veterans travelled to Wagga for the service, including Mr Wood, of Batlow.
He served as an aircraft welder with 77 Squadron and worked on Mustangs, Gloster Meteors and Sabres, with Mustangs his favourite aircraft.
“It was damn cold,” the 86-year-old recalled when asked of his memories of Korea. “There was one day when the temperature was down to 27 degrees below (zero).”
Mr Ouchirenko travelled from Mildura to attend Wagga’s service.
He again met up with Mr Anderson, of Tumut, after seeing him for the first time in more than 60 years at the 2014 service. “Since last year I spent a week with Col in Tumut and had a wonderful time, a lot of reminiscing,” Mr Ouchirenko said.
The service included The Last Post sounded by Corporal Justin Kennedy and wreath laying.
