A Tribute to a Korean War Veteran December 7th 2025
Gordon Finnie
On Sunday December 7th, 2025, Korean Veteran, Gordon Finnie, a longtime member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 100, was presented with a Quilt of Valour. Danielle Barnes conducted the ceremony and presentation, the Trenton/Belleville representative – on behalf of the Quilt of Valour Canada Society.
Fittingly, the event took place in the front lobby of the National Air Force Museum of Canada, located at Canadian Forces Base Trenton, and in front of the Camp Mirage Memorial Cairn – a granite structure honouring Canadians who died during the Afghanistan mission.
Unbeknownst to Gordon, the award was a total surprise to the elderly Veteran, as family and friends were on hand to witness this special event honouring one of Canada’s oldest surviving Veterans of the Korean War. Gord was beside himself as Danielle read out the traditional and official proclamation citing Gordon’s service to Canada and his unselfish gift to protect our Canadian freedom.
By way of history: Gordon Finnie enlisted in the Canadian Army at Montreal and was taken on strength with the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) at age seventeen. He was then posted to Camp Petawawa where he completed his depot and basic training for Canadian infantrymen.
Shortly after his Camp Petawawa training, Gord was selected to become a member of the prestigious, Joint Canadian/American Special Task Force (CASF), which drew its members from both sides of the border, and whose mission was to conduct special ground operations on the Korean Peninsula.
As such, and as a member of the RCR, Gord was hastily sent off to Fort Lewis in Washington State to receive his specialized training, alongside other selected CASF members, drawn from the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), and the Royal 22nd Regiment (The Vandoos).
The first joint forces contingent of which Gord was a member, left Seattle on November 5th, 1950, and the CASF was sent into action in the Korean peninsula by February 1951. Gord remained with his unit fighting alongside his Joint Forces members until the end of the main conflict – that ended in July 1953.
For his unselfish and distinguished service to Canada, Gordon Finnie is a fitting candidate to receive this unique honour from the Quilt of Valour Canada Society. Canada and Canadians are grateful for his personal sacrifice and service that he gave to our country in time of need.
Tony Soulis Royal Canadian Legion Branch 100 – Veteran