BUSAN, South Korea — What began as one man’s plan to walk nearly 400 miles across South Korea grew into a monthlong remembrance that brought together veterans, students, military groups and local communities to honor those who fought in the Korean War.

Organized by the United Nations Korean War Allies Association, Canadian veterans advocate Guy Black’s march commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Battles of Gapyeong and Imjin River.

Black began walking April 26 from Gapyeong, northeast of Seoul, to Busan, stopping at battlefields, memorials and cemeteries connected to the 1950-53 conflict. He made shorter pilgrimages to Gapyeong — site of an April 1951 dogged defense by Canadian, Australian and New Zealand troops against larger Chinese forces — in 2021 and 2023.

“I want to create greater awareness, especially to the youth, about the Korean War,” he told Stars and Stripes on May 23, after completing his journey at U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan. “I want to try to achieve more recognition and thanks for Korean War veterans before they are all gone.”

What began as a personal mission expanded into a coordinated effort involving local governments, veterans organizations, military partners and volunteers across the peninsula. Some accompanied Black on portions of the journey or helped with logistics.

“The path that we now walk with Mr. Black began with an act of civilian commitment,” Kim Du-Geon, chairman of the Korean War Allies Association, said during an April 30 kickoff event at the Embassy of Canada in Seoul.

For months leading up to the march, association members coordinated route planning, transportation, medical support, ceremonies and student participation.

Along the route, people gathered at sites honoring U.N. forces that fought during the war. Small ceremonies highlighted the sacrifices of veterans and the continuing importance of the alliance forged during the conflict.

Black said some of the most meaningful moments came during informal conversations with people he met along the route. He distributed commemorative pins and spoke with those who stopped to ask about his march.

“Usually a smile and gratitude,” he told Stars and Stripes on May 8 while walking near Daejeon Area Patriot Heroes Memorial, which honors soldiers whose stand bought precious time to establish the Busan Perimeter. “I just don’t want to walk from point A to point B and not talk to anyone.”

University students joined portions of the walk and participated in commemorative events designed to connect younger generations with a war that continues to shape South Korea.

“We will not be a generation that simply observes history from afar,” student representative Kim Sihyun said during a closing ceremony at the cemetery in Busan. “We will be the generation that carries that memory forward step by step.”

For Jasmine Won, international office team manager for the allies association, the march underscored the importance of passing Korean War remembrance to younger generations who have no direct connection to veterans or the conflict.

“Freedom is not free,” she said at the cemetery. “The third generation must take this kind of commemoration, remembering all the sacrifices.”