BURLINGTON

A monument which recognizes the sacrifice of Canadian sailors during the Korean War was unveiled on Monday.

Veterans of the conflict were joined by a delegation of South Korean visitors and government dignitaries on Burlington’s waterfront for a ceremony for the unveiling. The monument is believed to be the first of its kind in Canada.

Officials Andy Barber and Ron Kirk — navy veterans of the Korean War — spearheaded the effort to have the monument created. The day was a culmination of a four-year journey, Barber said.

“It’s an emotional feeling having completed this,” he said.

Barber said, to his knowledge, there is no place in Canada that honours the eight destroyers that took part in the operation from the beginning of the conflict in 1950. Over 3,600 sailors served in the region war and peace time missions.

Barber said up until now, there was also no monument for the nine men who lost their lives during fighting. Many of those men were lost at sea or buried in Korea so their families never had a place at home to mourn in Canada.

“More importantly, we have a place were people can visit ... and the families and friends can come back and visit,” he said.

The monument now sits beside another in Spencer Smith Park, which honours Canadian naval ships and sailors who took part in the Second World War.

The idea came to together after Barber and Kirk ventured to South Korea in 2010 at the behest of that country’s government. They were honoured for their service and hoped to return the favour for South Korean veterans.

They raised money to have a contingent over in 2013 and also create a lasting memorial for the naval efforts in the conflict. In all, $80,000 was raised.

Veteran’s Affairs Minister Julian Fantino said the monument was one of the first projects he signed off on as he began the portfolio. He lauded the work of the veterans and community groups who saw the idea through to fruition.

shawn.jeffords@sunmedia.ca