(Photo Credit: Everything GP Staff/ Nathaniel Leigh)

By Nathaniel Leigh

Community

MP Chris Warkentin presents South Korean medals to local Korean War Veteran families

Sep 5, 2024 | 7:00 AM

The families of Peace Region residents who fought in the Korean War were presented with medals Wednesday in recognition of their service.

(Photo Credit: Everything GP Staff/ Nathaniel Leigh)

Grande Prairie-Mackenzie MP Chris Warkentin was on hand to present the Ambassador for Peace Medal to the families of Gunner George Burrows, Private John Dryer, and Master Warrant Officer Stanley Hanson.

(Photo Credit: Everything GP Staff/ Nathaniel Leigh)

(Photo Credit: Everything GP Staff/ Nathaniel Leigh)

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(Photo Credit: Everything GP Staff/ Nathaniel Leigh)

Organizer and amateur historian Wanda Zenner says the medals come from the Republic of Korea as a memorial to their actions during the Korean War.

“For Canadian veterans to actually receive a medal from another government in appreciation of what they did for them? It is just an absolutely wonderful medal. The presentation today was well received, and the families are always just so appreciative.”

(Photo Credit: Everything GP Staff/ Nathaniel Leigh)

Zenner, had previously worked to bring the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea and the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal to the veteran’s families.

“I was dealing with the consul in Vancouver and there were only a couple things I had to provide them with,” she says. “So, she went through them and she says ‘Absolutely these men are entitled to them’ and she says ‘Would you like me just to mail these out to them?’ And I thought no, we should make an occasion of it.”

(Photo Credit: Everything GP Staff/ Nathaniel Leigh)

She says it was important their family members were able to receive the medals on their behalf.

“I think the majority of these families have adopted me! In Canada, we can be spread out quite a bit and some of the [family members] have moved to the States. Then [after learning about the medals] they’re talking to all their other siblings and it’s brought families together again.”

Zenner says it is a personal mission of hers to try to ensure the families of veterans in the region are given the medals and recognition their relatives deserve.

(Photo Credit: Everything GP Staff/ Nathaniel Leigh)

(Photo Credit: Everything GP Staff/ Nathaniel Leigh)

(Photo Credit: Everything GP Staff/ Nathaniel Leigh)

(Photo Credit: Everything GP Staff/ Nathaniel Leigh)

(Photo Credit: Everything GP Staff/ Nathaniel Leigh)