‘Lucky to be here’
Korean War veterans happy to be included in Remembrance Day ceremonies
Marv Crittenden was with Canadian and Korean soldiers on the top of a mountain thinking he might not make it home when they got word the war was over.
This is just one of the memories the Korean War veteran, who turned 19 on the ship taking him to battle, has every year he takes part in Remembrance Day ceremonies.
“We’re just lucky to be here,” said the 85-year-old Mulgrave native who has lived in Sydney for about 15 years.
“The Chinese had us surrounded on the hill. We are lucky the war ended. There were thousands of them. We could see them in the valley, surrounding us.”
Another thing Crittenden often remembers on Nov. 11 is how Korean War veterans weren’t included in Remembrance Day ceremonies or speeches for many years after the war finished. He said Korean War veterans were only allowed to be guest members of the Royal Canadian Legions
“The Korean War was the forgotten war,” said Crittenden whose 23-year career with the Canadian military also included tours in Germany and Egypt. “They didn’t let us in until they needed us (because of declining numbers).”
Al Aucoin is another Korean War vet who turned 19 on the ship over to serve. Unlike Crittenden who was on the front lines, Aucoin was a peacekeeper and he served for three years after the Korean War ended.
After being released and coming home, Aucoin remembers how he felt the word “veteran” didn’t apply to him.
“When I first came back I wouldn’t call myself a veteran,” the 83-year-old New Waterford native said.
“I didn’t think I was worthy of it, but I guess I am.”
Crittenden and Aucoin enjoyed the ceremony at Centre 200 on Sunday.
“It was great to have everybody take part and remember why we are here,” said Aucoin, who now lives in Sydney.
“It’s getting bigger every year. People are starting to realize it is important,” Crittenden said.
The veterans both think the Afghanistan war (2001-2014) is partly responsible for the increased number of people interested in celebrating Remembrance Day.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 people were at Centre 200 for the ceremony, which was hosted by three branches of the Royal Canadian Legion: Branch 12 (Sydney), Branch 128 (Whitney Pier) and Branch 138 (Ashby). Cusack and Shipyard elementary school choirs performed and the Whitney Pier Memorial Middle School band did most of the musical accompaniment.
Other legions in Cape Breton also reported good turnouts for their celebrations. The Glace Bay legion held its service at the Savoy Theatre and it was a full house. It was also a full house at the Sydney legion, which held a special service for members at 1 p.m.
The Port Morien legion also had a good turnout, with the last people leaving the venue around 3:45 p.m. However, they did say they didn’t see as many young people as in previous years and they think this might be because Rogers Hometown Hockey was in Glace Bay that day.