Veterans share memories, tears as they return to mark armistice

Colin Thackery couldn't hide his excitement about singing “Arirang” at a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Korean War (1950-1953) armistice’s signing later this week.

From left, Korean War veterans William Word, Edward Buckner and Colin Thackery, pose for a photo during a press conference in southern Seoul on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Colin Thackery couldn't hide his excitement about singing “Arirang” at a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Korean War (1950-53) armistice’s signing later this week.

For the 93-year-old British veteran of the war and winner of “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2019, the traditional Korean folk song evokes plenty of memories.

"'Arirang' brings a lot of memories. I don't think many servicemen that served in Korea at that time don't know that song because it's very familiar to everybody," he said in a joint press conference in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Tuesday.

"When I was asked to sing it at the banquet, I was very delighted. I hope I've got the pronunciation correct."

Thackery is one of the 64 foreign veterans who came to Korea in a commemoration program hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. He was deployed to the Korean War at the age of 19 in 1950 and returned home in 1952, after serving as a gunner in the 45th Field Royal Artillery.

At Veterans Minister Park Min-shik’s request, he will sing “Arirang” on Thursday at an event in Busan commemorating the signing of the armistice that halted the war.

On Tuesday, Thackery and other two veterans — 91-year-old Candian veteran Edward Buckner and 91-year-old U.S. veteran William Word — shared their battlefield memories and emotional attachment to the country with the local press.

Word, who said he was given a choice between Europe and Asia when he was first enlisted in the military, said he is proud that he came and fought for Korea.

“If I had to do it again, I’ll do it all over again. I’d come over here again,” Word said.

Buckner was overcome with emotions as he showed a series of photos he took while serving in Korea under the UN flag.

"I'm so grateful that you made it what you have," he said, fighting back tears. "It's a beautiful country."

Both Word and Buckner held back tears as they showed photos of Korean friends from 70 years ago that helped them during their service in the country.

“He just worked really hard for his family. He just didn't give up," Word said, referring to a then 12-year-old boy whose name he said was “Chang.”

"I really wondered about him, and he should be in his 80s," he said, wondering Chang if missed him, too.

Buckner also hoped to find "Cho Chock Song," a man who helped keep his tent clean. He said he never forgot him.

The Veterans Ministry invited about 200 people from 22 countries that sent troops or other forms of support to Korea during the war to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the armistice.

They will stay in Korea through Saturday.

The program includes a visit to the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan and the War Memorial of Korea in central Seoul.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO, YONHAP [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]