About 60 years ago, Ray and Jean Hummel were married. Six weeks later Ray was on his way across the Pacific to serve in Korea on the HMCS Cayuga.
Six decades, six children, 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren later, Ray returned to Korea, this time Jean accompanied him.
The couple have just returned from a week-long trip to the small country, this time guests of the South Korean Government. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea have been hosting “Revisit Korea” since the 1970’s.
The Hummels travelled with 79 veterans from Canada, as well as vets from Australia, The United Kingdom and New Zealand, along with their wives, caregivers, and 16 members of the Canadian military. The reason for the trip is to show gratitude for their service in keeping South Korea free.
“The South Koreans are so grateful because we are allies, because they wouldn’t be the nation they are today without our help,” said Ray. "Everywhere we went we were showered with gifts.”
While he was there he was presented with a medal and named an Ambassador of Peace. This was quite an honour for Ray.
“It made you feel good that you were a part of it, it made you feel extra special,” said Ray.
What made the trip even more special is one of the Canadian guests was on a special mission to have her father join his brother, who died in action more than sixty years before.
The story of Joseph and Archie Hearsey is a touching one of brotherly love. Archie joined up with PPCLI and was among the first to serve in Korea.
Ray explained that his older brother Joseph always looked out for him, and unknown to Archie, Joe quit his job and also joined up with the PPCLI and shipped off to Korea to fight. The brothers were reunited in tragedy on the battlefield of Kapyong.
Archie learned his brother was in Korea while he was returning from battle, and also learned and that Joe had been shot.
“He died in his arms, they were together,” said Ray.
Archie died last year at the age of 81. His daughter and grandson made Archie’s final wish, to be buried with his brother, come true. His ashes were buried beside his brother in a military graveyard.
“It was an emotional ceremony,” said Ray.
Another emotional part of the trip was when the veterans were taken to the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. They saw first hand the different directions each country took following truce. South Korea has flourished, while North Korea is still struggling. Ray said they had one of the largest militaries in the world, but little equipment.
“I can’t describe it, they have nothing, the poor people are starving,” said Ray.
He said in talking to his tour guide, the war tore families apart, and while some hope that one day the country will be reunited, economically it would cripple the advances the Republic of Korea has made.
He said as guests, they were treated with great respect and were provided well-organized itineraries and were even treated to a banquet at the Canadian Ambassador David Chatterson’s home.
He said Drumheller was a hit on the trip as well. Ray and Jean brought scores of pins from the Town of Drumheller and from the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce, which they gave to the people they met.
