Honourable senators, I rise today to tell you about an important Canadian treasure I discovered earlier this year during my first trip to Florida.

There is a special Royal Canadian Legion Post 144, Pinellas County, which is housed within the American Legion Turner-Brandon Post 7, in Clearwater, Florida, among the first posts formed in the United States. It is the perfect symbol of the long-standing bond between our two countries whose men and women have stood shoulder to shoulder in war and peace.

Originally known as the St. Petersburg Post 144 Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League, The Royal Canadian Legion Post 144 was founded in 1941. Members of the Post represent many branches of the United States and British Empire Forces. This is a milestone year for the Turner-Brandon Post 7 Legion, which marks the centenary of the American Legion.

On March 25, I had the honour of presenting eight Ambassador of Peace Medals issued by the Government of the Republic of Korea to the heroes of the Korea War and those who served in the UN peacekeeping mission that followed the signing of the armistice.

Medals were presented to family and friends of the late James D. Bell, John A. Smith, Ralph L. Merrit and Henry Edsel Ford, childhood friends who served together and paid the ultimate sacrifice together in Korea.

Medals were also presented to Ben St. Clair, a U.S. veteran; Anthony Joseph Bazarewsky, a U.S. naval veteran; Kathy Hunter on behalf of her father, the late Frank Steers, a Canadian veteran; and Geraldine and Larry Boudreau on behalf of Larry’s father, the late Norman Joseph Boudreau, a U.S. veteran.

There was not a dry eye in the room as family members and veterans accepted these medals of honour.

This special event to pay tribute to these heroes of the Korean War was organized by HooJung Jones Kennedy and retired Major Don Kennedy.

HooJung is one of the truest champions of our Korea War veterans, who serves as an honorary member of the Korea Veterans Association of Canada and co-authored the book Canadians Our Heroes 1950 1953 Korean War and serves as a Director of Friends of HMCS Haida. She has received many awards for her tireless volunteerism and leadership, including the prestigious Legion of Honour award from the Chapel of Four Chaplains.

Don Kennedy, her husband, is a retired Canadian Armed Forces Major with over 43 years of service. He is an honorary member of the KVA of Canada and has dedicated his life to serving his country.

Honourable senators, I ask you to join me in honouring our heroes of the Korea War and all of our men and women in uniform past, present and future who have and will always answer the call of duty. We will remember them.