Coquitlam, British Columbia
Mr. Son served with the South Korean Army during the Vietnam War, and immigrated to Canada shortly after returning from Vietnam. He is an active participant at local commemorative activities involving the Korean community and Korean War Veterans. Mr. Son has served as the president of the Western Canada Chapter of the Korea Veterans Association of Canada. He was also the director of the Korean War Ambassador of Peace Committee and was instrumental in having the Ambassador of Peace Monument in Burnaby’s Central Park realized. In June 2011, Mr. Son hosted the first Korean War ceremony held at the Ambassador of Peace Monument, and he intends to have this become an annual event. Mr. Son’s commitment to the recognition of Veterans led him to successfully lobby for the Republic of Korea’s Ambassador for Peace Medal to come to Canada and be awarded to Canadian Veterans. In the past, this medal had only been presented to Allied Veterans who returned to Korea on an official government revisit tour. Mr. Son has worked tirelessly with the Consulate of the Republic of Korea and more than 90 medals have been awarded through his efforts. Mr. Son participates in the Korean Community Canada Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11 and the Kapyong anniversary ceremony in Tofino, British Columbia. He also takes important high ranking visitors from Korea to the Ambassador of Peace Monument and prepares ceremonies for their visits.