65th Anniversary of Korean War Commemorated Today

65th Anniversary of Korean War Commemorated Today

Today’s commemoration marking the 65th anniversary of the start of the Korean War was the first time the ceremony took place in the recently opened Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.

Today’s commemoration marking the 65th anniversary of the start of the Korean War was the first time the ceremony took place in the recently opened Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.

Pukeahu the place for New Zealanders to reflect on this country’s sacrifice at times of war, as well as its contribution to peace keeping, was host to the commemoration attended by New Zealand and Korean government and community representatives, military personnel, former service men and women and young New Zealanders and Koreans.

Commemorations in the Hall of Memories included a wreath laying, the Last Post and the Ode of Remembrance. Both the New Zealand and the Korean National Anthems played.

The painting The Weight of Silence by Island Bay artist Liam Barr is currently on display at the National War Memorial. The Weight of Silence was commissioned by the New Zealand Defence Force to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice in 2013.

The painting depicting a veteran of the Korean War, Mr George (Tim) Flintoft, who served as a driver in 10 Company Royal New Zealand Army Service Corps was presented at Parliament by Liam Barr, to then Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Hon Michael Woodhouse, on 26 June 2014.

Today’s commemoration concluded with the laying of a fern on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior by Hon Craig Foss, Minister of Veterans’ Affairs and His Excellency Kim Hae-yong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea.

More information about the Korean War is featured on the NZHistory website at:
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/war/korean-war

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