21 years after the cease-fire in Korea, a group of Korean War
veterans got together and formed a reunion committee which later developed into
the Korea Veterans Association of Canada. By the end of their first year in 1974
the association had recruited 77 members; by 1978 another 430. As the years
passed and more and more Korea veterans reached retirement, creating extra
leisure time, membership peaked—over 4,000 members in 60-odd branches (units)
across Canada. With the attrition of illness and death memberships as well as
active units are now dwindling.
Unlike organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion and
peacekeeping associations, KVA cannot recruit younger veterans to maintain its
numbers. To extend the life of KVA to its utmost, the General
John M. Rockingham
Memorial--Heritage Unit #1 was formed. When units no longer have enough
members to function, membership is available in the Heritage Unit for a one-time
fee. It will continue to exist as long as even only one member remains to
maintain the tradition.
KVA Canada is a founding member of the International
Federation of Korean War Veterans’ Associations and a member of the National
Council of Veterans’ Associations in Canada. KVA successfully lobbied the
Federal Government for the "Korea" service button and the Canadian
Volunteer Service Medal for Korea. It organizes revisits to the Republic of
Korea, hosted by the Korean Veterans Association of Seoul. In 1997, the Korea
Veterans National Wall of Remembrance was dedicated in Brampton, Ontario. To
assist the youth of our country, a KVA National Student Bursary program has been
established.
KVA membership is open to anyone who served in Korea or
Korean waters in the armed forces of a UN member country (including the Republic
of Korea) between June 1950 and December 31, 1955. Members of ancillary units
such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army and Merchant Navy that served UN Forces
during the same time period are also eligible for membership. See Membership
Page.
