Commemorative Ceremony for 'International Memorial Day for UN Veterans' to Be Held at 11:00 AM on November 11—A Moment of Remembrance for All

[Financial News] The 19th International Memorial Day for UN Veterans ceremony will be held on the morning of the 11th at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea (UNMCK) in Busan, the only UN cemetery in the world.
According to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA) on the 10th, this event is held to honor and remember UN veterans who sacrificed and dedicated themselves to defending the freedom of the Republic of Korea during the Korean War. The ceremony will be held under the theme 'Turn Toward Busan.'
The phrase signifies a global moment of remembrance and reflection toward Busan, where UN war casualties are interred. Since the first event in 2007, all 22 UN sending nations have adopted this official slogan.
The event will be attended by approximately 800 people, including UN veterans and their families from 14 participating nations, Korean veterans, diplomatic envoys in Korea, UNC personnel, and students. The 40-minute ceremony will proceed with the raising of national flags, a national tribute, an opening video, a one-minute silent tribute, floral tributes, welcoming remarks, memorial performances, commemorative addresses, and a dedication performance.
This year, the program will feature a cross-generational floral tribute by national representatives, messages of commitment from descendants of veterans and the younger generation, and the direct creation of 22 poppy flowers by local students to decorate wreaths—allowing students and the public to actively participate and experience the event.
Prior to the main ceremony, at 10:00 AM, the 'UN Veterans Roll Call' will take place, where student volunteers from Pukyong National University (PKNU) will read aloud the names of 111 veterans interred at the UNMCK, symbolizing the collective remembrance at 11:00 AM on November 11.
Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kwon O-eul stated, “The Republic of Korea of today stands on the sacrifices and dedication of the 22 UN sending nations and their veterans, who did not turn away from a distant country in crisis during the Korean War and fought alongside us.” He added, “The government will do its utmost to ensure that the courage and spirit of these heroes are remembered by the Korean people and the world, and that future generations inherit and cherish this warm spirit of humanity.”
At 10:50 AM, 48 students from PKNU and military personnel will simultaneously raise the Flag of South Korea (Taegeukgi), the Flag of the United Nations, and the flags of the 22 sending nations. This will be followed by the pledge of allegiance and the singing of the national anthem. The opening video will feature the voice of UN veteran Malcolm Lynn Williamson, who will recall memories of the war, introduce the pride of today’s Korea, and deliver a message of remembrance for his fellow soldiers.
Malcolm Lynn Williamson served as a radio operator aboard the USS Thompson during the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950. He is currently a docent at the Korean War Memorial Park’s historical exhibition hall, located in Town Center, Wilsonville, Oregon.
At exactly 11:00 AM, a memorial siren will sound throughout Busan, signaling a one-minute silent tribute to honor the fallen UN soldiers. A 21-gun salute will be fired as the highest mark of respect. After the moment of silence, the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Commander of the United Nations Command will lay wreaths, followed by tributes from the Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, Members of the National Assembly, domestic and international veterans, national representatives, and ambassadors from the sending nations. Remarks from a UN representative will follow.
The memorial performance will include a rendition of 'Amazing Grace' sung by descendants of UN veterans and accompanied by the Ministry of National Defense (MND) traditional band, as well as commitment messages from descendants and the younger generation.
Following the commemorative address by the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, a dedication performance will be presented by a vocalist from the Ministry of National Defense and the UN Peace Memorial Youth Choir (UNYC). They will perform 'Like Someone in a Legend,' symbolizing the eternal memory of the veterans’ sacrifices and the nation’s resolve to move forward.
The International Memorial Day for UN Veterans originated in 2007, when Canadian veteran Vincent Courtenay proposed a one-minute global moment of silence toward the UNMCK in Busan. In March 2020, November 11 was officially designated as the International Memorial Day for UN Veterans under the Act on the Honorable Treatment of UN Veterans.
wangjylee@fnnews.com Lee Jong-yoon Reporter