“One minute of silence towards Busan”... Celebrating the International Day of Remembrance for UN Veterans

“Silence toward Busan”

At 11 a.m. sharp on November 11, a memorial siren sounded for one minute at the UN Memorial Park in Nam-gu, Busan, the world's only UN military cemetery.

The 20th UN Veterans International Memorial Day Ceremony (Turn Towards Busan) was held on this day to commemorate the sacrifices of UN veterans who sacrificed their lives during the Korean War, with one minute of silence observed at the UN Memorial Park in Busan, the world's only UN military cemetery.

Five UN veterans of the Korean War, including Vincent Courtney (92), a Canadian veteran who first proposed 'Turn Toward Busan', William James Walsh (United Kingdom, 97), Philip Joseph Di Menno (United States, 94), Reginald Warmer (Australia, 93), and Harman Hexenberg (Netherlands, 91), held a moment of silence while remembering their comrades sleeping in Busan.

To honor him with the highest respect, 21 artillery shells were fired.

Attendees, including Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul and Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command Scott A. Winter, continued to lay flowers.

Veteran soldiers who visited Korea even when they were over 90 years old sacrificed a chrysanthemum flower for their comrades despite their discomfort.

The ceremony was held under the theme of ‘Moment To Be One, Turn Toward Busan’.

About 1,000 people attended, including veterans and bereaved families from six UN participating countries, domestic veterans, diplomatic envoys from participating countries in Korea, UNC soldiers, citizens, and students.

It was held in the following order: raising the war flag, national ceremony, opening video, one minute of silence, wreath-laying, greetings, tribute performance, memorial speech, and memorial performance.

Vincent Courtney, a Canadian war veteran who first proposed 'Turn Towards Busan', visited the United Nations Memorial Park for the first time in five years and climbed to the podium in a wheelchair.

In his tribute to his comrades, Vincent Courtney said, "Your noble spirit lives on in the life of the Korean people, with all the beautiful scenery, soft music, and warm words, making such remarkable progress, overcoming adversity, and being free."

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon Oh-eul and the students who participated in making the rubbings delivered a frame made from a rubbing of the monument to the war dead at the United Nations Memorial Park in Korea to the descendants of the UN war veterans.

The event concluded with a memorial flight by the Air Force Special Flight Team Black Eagles.

'Turn Toward Busan' started in 2007 at the suggestion of Canadian war veteran 'Vincent Courtney' and has been held every year.

At the United Nations Memorial Park in Busan, the remains of 2,339 veterans from 14 countries who participated in the Korean War lie in rest.