July 27, 2023, marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement, which ended over three years of fighting on the Korean Peninsula. The Korean War commenced on June 25, 1950, when North Korean troops invaded South Korea. Under the auspices of the United Nations, the United States sponsored a “police action” resolution for international action to support South Korea. The US State Department coordinated the contribution of 16 countries to this effort, of which Canada was a major military contributor. This important milestone will be commemorated with events around the world, including in Canada and the Republic of Korea.

Canadians served in all three services in this bitter conflict in which 516 Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice and 1,255 were wounded. Long seen as the "forgotten war", the Korean War remains for Canada a clear demonstration of its commitment to collective security.

The contribution by the Friends to the 2022-2023 Adopt-a-Book program added quality research books to the already outstanding collection at the Hartland Molson Library of the Military History Research Centre at the Canadian War Museum.

The program provided 90 quality books and the Friends lead for this program, Jean Morin, completed all of the personalized inscriptions. Jean’s commitment to Adopt-a- Book and your generosity inspires us to continue our collective efforts to maintain the momentum of support for this important program.

Thank you to our donors and Jean for leading the charge. 

Dr. Andrew Burtch participated in a Friends Forum and spoke about the challenges and pleasures of working on a museum exhibition. Dr. Burtch’s presentation can be viewed on the link.

From July 30 to August 2, 2010, Master Corporal Holmes displayed tremendous courage and continuous composure while coordinating exceptional fire support during a four-day combat operation. Constantly under fire, he willingly and repeatedly exposed himself to attack while identifying enemy positions and directing fire upon them. In addition, he single-handedly turned back a group of insurgents who had come within 50 metres of a friendly position. 

A native of Kapuskasing, Ontario, Master Corporal Adam Holmes’ valour and determination were critical to the success of the mission. 

The Friends salute you, Master Corporal Adam Holmes. 
Awarded on: August 20, 2011
Invested on: January 26, 2012
Rank: Master Corporal

Op REASSURANCE is currently the Canadian Armed Forces' (CAF) largest overseas mission and will be expanding significantly in the coming months. The CAF contributes to NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe, and is part of the biggest reinforcement of Alliance collective defence in a generation.

Through Op REASSURANCE, the CAF currently has deployed a Maritime Task Force, which contributes ships to Standing NATO Maritime Groups; an Air Task Force, providing logistical support out of Prestwick, UK; and a Land Task Force, including enhanced Forward Presence Latvia, for which Canada is the Framework Nation.

Early in the Op REASSURANCE mission, a Canadian soldier from India Company, Royal Canadian Regiment, clears a room before entering through the window during Joint Urban Operation training with the Latvian Army National Guard 32nd Infantry Battalion in Mārciena, Latvia, on March 17, 2018.

Images by Cpl Jean-Roch Chabot, eFP BG LATVIA PUBLIC AFFAIRS RP15-2018-0074-075