a day ago
Ceremony remembers 75 years since the start of the 'forgotten' Korean War
Stanley Starcevich says many Australians forget the Korean War, but he cannot.
The 94-year-old remembers trudging up steep mountains, through fields of rice paddies and dense forests.
He remembers digging into frozen ground, icy winters, and hot, humid summers.
He remembers the sound of enemy gunfire, the fear of hidden landmines, and he remembers learning about true bravery and courage.
Mr Starcevich arrived in Korea in May 1951 as a 20-year-old with what he described as some "good blokes".
"They could make you laugh even when the situation was really dire," he said.
"We didn't know what was happening around us most of the time.
He remembers — he can't help but remember.
However, Mr Starcevich said many forgot.
Less than five years after WWII, on June 25, 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea, starting the Korean War.
Australia was quick to join the US-led United Nations army in support of South Korea in its attempt to halt the spread of communism.
Australian troops played a pivotal role throughout the conflict, particularly in defending the fall of Seoul in 1951 in the Battle of Kapyong.
The conflict remains ongoing, with the Korean peninsula still divided along the 38th parallel.
More than 18,000 Australians served during the Korean War and the post-armistice period.
While the war officially ended in July 1953, the last Australians did not return home until 1957.
In total, 340 Australians lost their lives. Forty-two have no known grave.
When those who survived returned home, they did not receive the hero's welcome of WWI and WWII veterans.
The past president of the Korean Veterans Association of Australia (KVAA), John Munro OAM, said his local RSL rejected him becoming a member because it said the Korean conflict was "only a peacekeeping operation".
"Well, it wasn't," Mr Munro said.
"I can assure you of that."
He departed his hometown of Swan Hill as a 19-year-old en route to Korea and cannot forget his experience of the brutality of war and the rejection he and his comrades received.
"That happened to a lot of us."
Both Mr Munro and Mr Starcevich spoke at a commemorative service held in Canberra on June 25 to mark 75 years since the start of the war.
Mr Starcevich drove himself more than 3,000 kilometres from Esperance, WA, to attend the event because he believes remembering is important.
Mr Munro's granddaughter, Macey Rye, said it was important the war was remembered and the veterans celebrated.
"I have friends that have no idea of [the war]."
She said her grandfather shared stories of the mateship of war — fun times away from the front — but kept the horrors to himself.
Her mother and KVAA secretary Debby Munro helped coordinate 17 veterans from around the country attending the ceremony.
She tears up thinking about the fact that many won't make the 80th anniversary.
"They are forgotten," she said.
"They feel it all the time. They feel it every Anzac Day. It's disheartening.
"We've got to do what we can while we can while they're here. It's about them."
