Our soldiers fought in the Korean War to push back communism. As

Hear, O listener, the words of Pierre Poilievre, who spoke not only of history but of sacrifice: “Our soldiers fought in the Korean War to push back communism. As a result of their effort and the effort of our allies, South Korea is free today.” In these words lies both memory and gratitude. They remind us that freedom is not given lightly, but carved from the stone of hardship by those who were willing to lay down their lives for others. The Korean War, though often forgotten, was a crucible where nations proved their resolve to defend liberty against the rising tide of oppression.

The origin of this quote lies in the great conflict that erupted in 1950, when North Korean forces, backed by communist powers, swept across the 38th parallel and sought to unite the peninsula by force. It was then that soldiers from many nations, under the banner of the United Nations, rose to resist. Among them were Canadians, Americans, British, and others, who journeyed far from their homelands to defend a people they did not know. Their purpose was not conquest, but defense—to hold the line against an ideology that threatened to extinguish freedom in Asia. This is what Poilievre meant when he spoke of pushing back communism.

Consider the Battle of Kapyong in April 1951, where Canadian troops held their ground against overwhelming numbers. Outnumbered and pressed on every side, they fought through the night, denying the enemy a breakthrough that could have changed the war’s course. Their stand was not only a display of valor but a shield for countless civilians who would otherwise have fallen under tyranny. From such acts of courage was the survival of South Korea secured. This is why today that nation flourishes as a beacon of prosperity and democracy in Asia.

Yet, let us not forget the human cost. Thousands of young men never returned home. Families wept over empty chairs at their tables. Veterans carried wounds, seen and unseen, for the rest of their days. The soil of Korea still holds their blood, mingled with that of allies who stood side by side. To honor their sacrifice is to acknowledge that the freedom of one people was purchased with the suffering of another. And though decades have passed, their deeds must not vanish into silence.

The meaning of Poilievre’s words is therefore twofold. First, they remind us that freedom is never secure without vigilance. South Korea is free not by chance, but because others stood for her when she was in peril. Second, they remind us that alliances are sacred. No nation alone could have resisted the tide. It was through the unity of allies, bound by common purpose, that victory was made possible. Effort and sacrifice together forged the path to peace.

What lesson, then, shall we carry into our own lives? It is this: never take freedom for granted, whether in the life of nations or in the life of individuals. Guard it, nurture it, and be willing to defend it when threatened. And remember that the defense of others’ liberty is also the defense of your own, for when one people falls into chains, the shadow of those chains reaches all mankind.

Therefore, O child of tomorrow, let these words live within you: cherish freedom as the most precious inheritance, honor the sacrifices that purchased it, and stand ready to defend it—not with arrogance, but with courage, wisdom, and unity. For as Poilievre declared, it was through the valor of soldiers and allies that South Korea stands free today. And so it will always be: the price of liberty is eternal vigilance, and its highest form is the willingness to guard not only your own freedom, but the freedom of others.