Canadian veterans and their families were surprised and touched by a gesture marking the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War recently.
South Korea sent a gift of masks to thank Canadians who served during the war.
Eighty-six year-old Jake McDonald, one of the recipients, says it was a beautiful privilege to learn that people still think about the vets.
Jake was 17 when he served as a communications signaller with the Canadian Army. He estimates he spent about a year in Korea during the war, which saw fighting end with an armistice declared in 1953.
Last week, a box arrived at his Halifax home containing 30 medical face masks and a letter from the Republic of Korea, which is commonly known as South Korea.
The letter said:
“We are especially concerned about the well-being of you who dedicated your youth to protecting the Republic of Korea,” the letter said in part.
“In this regard, we have prepared a token of appreciation. This can never match the warm hands you extended to us, but we hope this will help you overcome the current crisis.”
Jake says he was pleased to receive the masks, as he’d been having difficulty buying any at local stores. But he was just as pleased to read the letter.
He’s also keeping in mind that South Korea is now fighting against COVID-19.
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-Ian
Credits: www.cbc.ca
