Korean war veteran to be honoured in Leduc

LEDUC -- A recently deceased veteran of the Korean War is set to be honoured in Leduc.

The flags at Fred Johns Park will be lowered to half-mast on Friday in honour of Alvin "Art" Kholsmith, who recently passed away on February 6th at the age of 92. Kholsmith -- who was a resident of Leduc -- joined the Canadian Military at the age of fifteen as a paratrooper in the Airborne Regiment, before transferring to the Army Engineers for the duration of his military career.

He served in the Korean War when he was eighteen years of age, and after the war, he served in numerous locations in Canada from coast-to-coast as well as four years in Germany. Kholsmith retired from the military in 1986 to work for the Department of External Affairs, where he looked after Canadian embassies in North and South America. He then worked for the British High Commission in Ottawa until his full retirement. In the late 1990's, he and his wife Denyse moved from Ontario to Leduc to be closer to family.

Leduc Councillor Beverly Beckett made the proclamation for the flag lowering at Tuesday's special council meeting.

"I move that city council direct administration to lower the flags at Fred Johns Park to half-mast in recognition of Korean war veteran Art Kholsmith," said Beckett. "From sunrise to sundown on the day of his funeral, scheduled for February 21st, 2025."

Kholsmith was also known as a great storyteller who spent much of his time sharing his experiences with students in the Blackgold School Division.

The funeral service for Alvin "Art" Kholsmith will take place on Friday at St. David’s United Church.