Today is December 1, and it’s a beautiful, sunny and warm day here in Hong Kong. I’ve just returned to my hotel after attending the annual commemorative ceremony at Sai Wan War Cemetery. I’ve been to this ceremony many times, and it never fails to touch me. Standing at the top of the hill looking down towards the Cenotaph, across the hundreds of white headstones neatly lined up - each one marking the grave of a soldier who died serving his country - is a supremely moving experience. So many of them died at such a young age, their lives unfulfilled.

Very soon we’ll be exchanging New Year’s wishes with our family and friends. No doubt the Canadians interned in the POW camps in Hong Kong and Japan were doing the same among themselves 79 years ago as they approached their 3rd year of captivity, hoping that 1945 would bring freedom from their terrible ordeal.

Their New Year’s wish was finally granted on August 15, 1945 when the Emperor of Japan surrendered to the Allies. Next year is the 80th anniversary of the surrender, and I’m hoping you will help us commemorate it.

Here’s how you can help:

• Read the “Legacy of Remembrance” article elsewhere in the newsletter.
• Plan to attend the big event in Ottawa on the weekend of August 14-17 next year.
• Invite your family and friends to join you. We would especially like to see the grandchildren of Hong Kong Veterans at the event. There won’t be a better opportunity to ensure that your Veteran’s legacy is ensured.
• Approach your local business contacts and ask them to provide financial support for the event. This will help us to keep it as affordable as possible.

Now that the last of the Hong Kong Veterans has left us, there are fewer and fewer opportunities for us to exchange stories about them, about their experiences and about the impacts of the war on their families, both positive and negative. Next year’s event may be the last of these opportunities, and I encourage you to take advantage of it. Let’s preserve the legacy of those incredible men and women!

I wish for everyone to have a wonderful holiday season, and a happy and prosperous 2025!

We Will Remember Them

Clara E. Flanagan, married to James Andrew Flanagan E30353. She was 98 when she passed on September 12, 2024. Obituary
Joyce May Clarkson Harmon, widow of Kenneth H. Clarkson RRC E29901, passed away on Nov. 18, 2024 at home Lodi, CA, USA
Audrey Lowe, widow of Arthur Lowe RRC E30157, passed away on Sept. 6, 2024 at Wales Home, Cleveland, QC

Breaking News!

Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation

 Congratulations Mike!

Whiteshell Plaque

I made an interesting find in Pinawa, MB in October. The town has excellent walking trails and, being on the edge of the Canadian Shield, is picturesque. As I wandered along the channel shoreline I came across a plaque dedicated to Hong Kong veteran, Joseph Furey, Winnipeg Grenadiers (see photo).

The plaques were created due to the work of Vince Lopata who made a career of encouraging us to memorialize our ‘C’ Force members. His article Winnipeg Grenadiers Honoured in Names Throughout the Whiteshell explains. You might also take a gander at Hope Hinchley’s brilliant map-oriented project: Commemorating Winnipeg Grenadiers Through Geography which is linked from our site.

If anyone else comes across one of these plaques please make sure to snap a photo and share it with us.

HKVCA’S 80th Anniversary Reunion August 14th to 17th, 2025, Ottawa, Ontario

Warmest greetings of the season from your friendly 80th anniversary reunion committee! Here come some exciting updates and details about what you can look forward to when we meet next August:

First, when it comes to the hotel bookings, your spot is saved! We have booked a block of rooms for attendees, and in the New Year, the Westin Hotel will be giving us a special booking code that will get you our special price! Once we have the code, you will be notified with clear instructions on how to book your room. So for now, that’s one less thing to do!

Thank you to all members who have confirmed your interest at the reunion by email, as well as indicating how many people are coming. For those who have waited to do so, we ask that you confirm by email to 2025reunion@hkvca.ca, or you can call Committee Chair Kathie Carlson at (403) 327-2799 to confirm your interest.

Our wish is for you to have a relaxing, social, “kick off your shoes” chance to visit, share stories, learn more about what our Veterans went through and the sacrifices they made for our country.

As you can well imagine, an event of this size and importance requires some additional financial support. Your reunion committee has been hard at work coordinating and reaching out for sponsorships in order to make this event one to remember. We ask that if you have ties in your local community to potential sponsors, that you reach out to Kathie (2025reunion@hkvca.ca) who will provide you with our “Partnership Package” - a review of who we are, what we need, and all the support documents you would need to approach a potential sponsor.

Breaking News!!! The Lethbridge United Services Institute has made a significant contribution to our 80th Anniversary commemoration in Ottawa. Their President, Glenn Miller, recently presented Mike Babin with a cheque for $3,000 to support our event! We are very grateful to Glenn and his organization for their very generous donation.

In the past, “Cash Draw tickets” have been sent to all members to help with fundraising, and you can look forward to having those sent out with the registration form by mail in the New Year.

As a brief overview, here’s what you can start to look forward to as we count down the days to our big event:

For those who arrive Thursday, August 14th, we are offering a “Meet and Greet” with refreshments in the evening. Restaurants are available in the hotel as no meal is scheduled for Thursday evening or Friday evening. The rest of the scheduled meals are provided as part of registration to all attending.

On Friday, after a buffet breakfast, the commemoration truly begins. We will be bused from the hotel to the Commemorative Service at the iconic Memorial Wall, to recognize the 80th Anniversary of V-J Day. This will last about an hour. We are inviting dignitaries from the military, government and political representatives, along with our HKVCA members to lay wreaths and participate in the service. We are committed to creating a comfortable environment with chairs and a tent to protect you from the sun, rain and wind. From there, you will be bused back to the Westin Hotel to enjoy lunch, followed by some free time. We invite you to check out the Memorabilia room displays and join a breakout session. This is an opportunity to learn about experiences our Veterans went through, possibly see a short movie about Gander, and more! Stay tuned for more details.

Friday evening is a Wine and Cheese with a chance to share your stories and ask questions of others and mingle. We also plan to organize a movie and popcorn event for those who want to put up their feet and relax.

Saturday is a big day! Following breakfast, you will be heading out at 11:00 a.m. by bus to the War Museum. You will be provided with a box lunch, enjoy a guided tour, followed by guest speaker, Dr. Tony Banham! Tony is an author and historian who lives in Hong Kong, and will provide us with stories and history to better understand how our Veterans fought in the defence of the Crown Colony of Hong Kong, and how they survived as a POW in the camps for almost 4 years. It promises to be a powerful afternoon.

Following a bit of downtime, it will be time to get gussied up for the Gala! Cocktails start at 6:00 p.m. and the Gala Banquet starts at 6:30 pm. It will be a fabulous evening with good food, great people as well as our guest celebrity speaker, and some fun entertainment.

Sunday morning offers a continental breakfast, as people will be getting ready to travel home. At 10:00 a.m., there will be remarks from our HKVCA President Mike Babin, and that will bring the wonderful weekend to a close.

This memorable weekend will truly be a “Legacy of Remembrance” for you and your family.

Our HKVCA 80th Reunion Committee members wish all of you a wonderful and joyful time with your family and friends over the holiday season.

Visitors!

Have you wondered how we know how often our HKVCA website is visited? Just like everything else out there today, Google has the answer in a service called Google Analytics.

I’ve included a snapshot of our visitors at one point in time on Remembrance Day. As you can see, in addition to the numbers themselves we can also get a good idea of where the visits originated.

Not shown in the screenshot is the list of pages visited and the time spent on each one during the visit.

And, before you ask, we have no way of knowing who by name is visiting. And that is as it should be.

Not surprisingly the most popular destination on our site continues to be the Individual Report. I monitor site activity regularly and the search for ‘C’ Force members using the report is an ongoing activity. We’re always looking for ways to improve it, so feel free to contact us with your suggestions and questions.

From Sue Beard

Copied from Facebook: Churchill’s speech to Parliament on Dec 30, 1941 :

Here is the part of Churchill’s speech which refers to 'C' Force…

Our Facebook group Hong Kong Veterans Tribute has about 1900 members and is quite active. You should check it out.

Manitoba Métis Federation 2024 Annual General Assembly

Well, the HKVCA Indigenous Veterans Research Project display was a huge success at the Manitoba Métis Federation 2024 Annual General Assembly! This took place the weekend of October 19 – 21, 2024 at Assiniboia Downs in Winnipeg and was attended by approximately 3,000 people. I feel safe to say that hundreds of them stopped by our booth to learn more about the Battle of Hong Kong and the Indigenous Veterans Project. Over the course of the three days Carol Hadley, Angeline Delorme Stoyko, Brenda Neufeld Lapointe, David Heinrichs, and myself were in attendance at the booth to welcome people and answer their questions. We connected with a number of families of Winnipeg Grenadiers, many of whom were unaware of the HKVCA.

All were so grateful for the work that the HKVCA is doing in all regards and particularly with respect to the Indigenous Veterans Project which has given them space in which to claim their ancestor’s indigeneity. A number of family members were very emotional and some in actual tears upon seeing their ancestor’s Individual Report and learning of the work being done. Of course we also gave everyone information on the upcoming 80th Anniversary event being planned in Ottawa in 2025 – here’s hoping many will attend.

As a result of our display at the MMF AGA, I was interviewed by a reporter from APTN news and a segment about the Battle of Hong Kong and the Indigenous Veterans Project was aired on APTN on Indigenous Veterans Day. I was also asked to bring our display to a First Nations Veterans Gathering hosted by the Southern Chiefs Organization on November 20, 2024. I was so looking forward to attending but unfortunately a forecast of icy highways and blowing snow (which never materialized!) prevented me from doing so. Hoping for next time!

Indigenous Veterans Day

The HKVCA was invited to attend the Manitoba Métis Federation’s Indigenous Veterans Day service held this year in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Angeline Delorme Stoyko, accompanied by her sister, Diane Hykyway, attended on behalf of the HKVCA and laid a wreath at the service. This was the first time that HKVCA laid a wreath at the MMF service and I thank Angel and Diane for travelling to Portage la Prairie and taking part in this important event.

Future Progress

Our Project continues to identify more Indigenous members of ‘C’ Force and they are then added to the Indigenous Veterans page of our website when updates are done. Information on each veteran will be added as it becomes available from our researchers. Educational resources are being developed and will be available on our website in the spring of 2025.

We anticipate many future developments as a result of the Project and our attendance at events such as those described here. Exciting times for the Project and HKVCA!

Greetings all from the wild, rain-stormed west coast.

It was clearly evident by the huge crowds in attendance at the November remembrance activities that the public wanted to pay their respects regardless of doomsday predictions by the weather forecasters.

The Island

Thankfully the sun broke through at most of our cenotaph venues and we all made the best of a sombre reflective occasion to do just that: commemorate our soldiers.

On the island the great great grandchildren of Horace Gerry Gerrard, RCCS, continued their tradition of laying a Hong Kong Veteran's wreath. Gerry was always proud of their involvement and this year they laid their wreath at the Langford cenotaph.

We thank Alistar, Asher and Tanner, good on you fellas!

Vancouver

In the heart of downtown Vancouver another long-time wreath layer Mr Phil Mondor son of HK veteran, Paul Mondor, WG was front and center at Victory Square.

Phil mentioned in his report it is important to note that this year was the centenary of the unveiling of the Victory Square cenotaph which was dedicated in April of 1924.

That is indeed a long notable history of commemorative ceremonies.

Another distinguishing aspect to this story is this particular cenotaph is administered by the office of the public clerk, city of Vancouver.

Every year Mr Mondor who is a recognized wreath layer receives a personalized invitation from the city to attend and lay a wreath on behalf of our organization. Something he is proud and honoured to do for us here on the coast.

Well, we are more than appreciative to have his presence and dedication to do this at such a high profile location. Cheers again, Phil.

Elsewhere in downtown Vancouver and continuing this theme, another HKVCA member Mr Jim Laidlaw sent comments highlighting this milestone occasion.

“No Stone Left Alone”

Across town at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Burnaby, Richard N Liu from the St John's Ambulance Service invited our HKVCA representative Mr Edmund Wu to lay a wreath at their “No Stone left Alone” ceremony.

This poignant observance sees that all veteran gravestones receive a poppy and a full colour party salute. As mentioned before in an earlier newsletter the grave site of our very own HK Veteran, Captain John Reid, was identified and honoured in this way.

We thank them again for this most respectful recognition of our veterans and trust this tradition continues for a long time to come. Involving younger cadets like they have done in the past will ensure this becomes a self sustaining activity for some time to come. Well done, all.

HKVCA treasurer Murray Doull, Poppy Chairperson for Clearwater, BC reported an overflow attendance at their veterans banquet function. Another indication that our remembrance activities are always appreciated by the public. We thank and appreciate all our members across BC who took the time to participate in November remembrance activities.

It remains essential for us to keep the Hong Kong story alive and relevant so that our fathers huge sacrifice will always be recognized and remembered for generations to come.

In spite of bomb cyclones and atmospheric rivers the months still march on and another important 'C' Force milestone is just around the corner. Next year is the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day and we hope our National Convention 2025 is in your summer travel plans. See you all there!

Wishing you the best Christmas ever and a prosperous New Year

Greetings to all our members – We hope you are enjoying some great fall weather AND no snow at the time of this writing.

The Prairie monthly meetings are held in person at Smitty’s Restaurant on Pembina and Grant at 11:30 a.m. on the second Thursday of every month. We have added Zoom to our meeting as many members have a distance to travel. We were pleased to welcome Anne and Jim Trick from British Columbia and Margaret Sullivan to our October meeting and three others on Zoom.

Thank you to Kathie Carlson (who gave her report on Zoom) and the 80th Anniversary committees as they continue to work on the program and financial aspects of the Reunion. Kathie Carlson will have more to report on this in another part of the newsletter. Please SAVE THE DATE and visit 2025REUNION@HKVCA.CA or send to HKVCA Suite 164, 1826 Robertson Road, Nepean, Ontario K2H 1B9 if you are interested in attending – this will ensure that you will get updates and let us know the numbers coming to make a more accurate planning. It’s not too early! The 80thAnniversary of VJ Day in 2025 with the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association Reunion, will be held in Ottawa on August 14thto 17th, 2025.

Pam Heinrichs is busy with the Indigenous/Métis project, and she will also have more information for you in this issue including our new Indigenous banner that made its debut at the Annual General Assembly of the Manitoba Métis. A new Indigenous banner was sent to Kathie Carlson in Alberta to complete her set. Thank you to Stan for helping with the setup for the Trade Show at the Métis General Assembly and for Pam Heinrichs (with help from Angel Stoyko, Brenda Lapointe and myself) for attending for the 3.5 days of the Assembly – it was very successful.

There are other small projects on hold and we’re looking for volunteers to take them on - 1. Pull up banner on the POW camps in Japan; 2. Scanning materials to be sent to our website for archiving.

Roxanna Fenning has come forward to work with Lori Atkinson Smith and Derrill Henderson in identifying the grave monuments of our veterans who may need to have their stone added/replaced in case of damage and to include the HK marker to show that veteran was in ‘C’ Force.

Due to health reasons, Barry Mitchell has asked to be relieved of his position as Prairie Treasurer after 30 years service to this Association. So we are looking for a Membership Secretary and Treasurer for Prairie Region. We have some interest in the Treasurer position but to be confirmed. Please let me know if you are interested in any project or position.

The Colour Party (Alex Taylor, Tim Klumper and Stan Lopata) have been busy. (See photo - used by permission). Stan Lopata will escort the HKVA flag to the Legislature buildings for them to have it fly at the cenotaph for the month of December. Stan and Alex attended the teacher’s conference (MSSTA) at the end of October where they shared valuable information to educators to use in the classrooms. We hope to be able to add Indigenous content to our curriculum soon.

November was very busy, and I thank everyone who contributed and helped to showcase our Association. Indigenous Veterans Remembrance Day, November 8, thank you to Stan Lopata and Alex Taylor for accompanying me at the service where our wreath was laid. Manitoba Métis also had a Remembrance Day service in Portage La Prairie where Angel Stoyko and her sister, Diane Hykaway, (daughters of Francois Hamelin, WG HK) laid our wreath.

Remembrance Day, thank you to Stan and Alex for setting up the display and for Tim Klumper and Stan for carrying the Colours. Thank you to Stephanie Mitchell for being my escort and to all who attended. Dennis Stewart in Selkirk, attended the Remembrance Day service in their arena where his oldest son, Keith, laid a wreath. Thank you.

From Kathie Carlson

In Calgary, Norma Fuchs of Calgary joined a group of HKVCA members at the Jubilee Auditorium on November 11th for a well attended service. The group of 17 people then had lunch following the service, at the Red Lobster which is a tradition for the group.

In Lethbridge, a HKVCA wreath was laid at the indoor service at the Agri Center and was well attended. A service also happened outside at the City of Lethbridge Cenotaph with a large crowd with the highlight of the Hercules flying overhead.

In Cardston, south of Lethbridge, Cynthia Melanson reported they had a Remembrance service at the local Legion, including the laying of a wreath by her family to honour her father, followed by a reception.

Our crazy weather continues to be cool and wet, with a skiff of snow intermittent so winter is on its way - be safe and look forward to winter celebrations. Merry Christmas to all our members and their families with best wishes for a wonderful New Year with an amazing celebration in Ottawa in August.

Take care everyone, God Bless.

Remembrance Day Service in Cobourg Ontario.

Attended by HKVCA National treasurer Mark Purcell and ON member Shelagh Purcell.

An early morning power failure and cold wind didn’t stop a large crowd from gathering on Remembrance Day. Marchers were led into the park in Cobourg for the traditional ceremony conducted by the Royal Canadian Legion Cobourg #133 master of ceremonies Jaye Bevan and Rev. Art King. Government wreaths were laid, followed by local citizens and 5 service dogs from St. John Ambulance completed the ceremonies.

Daughters who are caregivers for Irene Firlotte, Lawrence Firlotte, RRC, and Esther Jane Geraghty, Donald Geraghty, RRC, keep us advised on how their mothers are doing.

Grace Thornton, Howard Thornton, WG, commenting on how good the weather had been, got us talking about the “farmer’s almanac” and how it was like a bible as far as the weather was like and always after it. Grace also shared news of sons passing, something you don’t expect as a parent.

Barry Fair, John Grey Fair, RRC, had us talking about veterans housing after the war. Soldiers were judged on how many points you had on your application for housing. Barry’s family went to the start of the line because of his father’s being in Hong Kong but also because his mother had served in the Canadian Army.

Donna Drimmie, Victor Oliver Fehr, RRC, finds the mail strike has complicated sending the beautiful cards she makes. She was also worried about charitable organizations that would miss out on donations.

Jim Hurd, Edmund Lionel Hurd, RRC, has been very impressed by the number of small towns displaying pictures of Canadian soldiers for Remembrance Day. Banners go up in October co-sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legions and local town councils.

Barbara Cunningham-Drew, Winston Cunningham, CDC, was pleased to hear the traditional music and march took place in Blenheim. Although still driving, she can’t attend because walking and balance are not so good.

Mavis Martin, John Martin, RRC, had a grandson, great grandson, and daughters who took part in Remembrance Day and a poppy was put on John’s gravesite as usual.

Cara Worthington, Burt Worthington, British, has come through some ill health but is doing better now. We marveled at the state of the world in turmoil, thankful we can still have Remembrance Day for our veterans. Cara’s daughter is being included in the Sports Hall of Fame (Olympic gold medal Rowing team).

Remembering all veterans not just Hong Kong Veterans and sharing the smiles are 2 sisters doing so much for veterans and keeping their dad’s memory and love alive. Deb and Pat, two daughters of Lawrence Ross, RRC, now have an annual event of sharing Smile cookies from Tim Hortons with the veterans of Parkwood Hospital, London Ontario. Their father lived at Parkwood a few years ago.

Plaque Dedications

Two HKVCA Commemorative plaques, visually telling the story of the Hong Kong Veterans, were officially dedicated December 1st, 2024, to the Legion branches in Port Hope and Cobourg, Ontario. In 1941, 37 young men from these 2 communities joined the force of nearly 2000 sent to Hong Kong- the Royal Rifles and the Winnipeg Grenadiers. They were the first Canadians in battle in WW2 and the last to come home. Janet Kyle, president of RCL Branch #133 Cobourg, described the story as part of the official commemoration assisted by David Boerrichter, president of RCL Branch #30 Port Hope. And then members of the family of Leonard Corrigan, WG, and Clarence Bevan, RRC, attended. Guests were treated to a bountiful lunch.

Remembrance in Kingston

Remembrance Day 2024 in Kingston, where a Hong Kong Wreath was placed at the foot of the Cenotaph sponsored by the Matthew J. Dawe Memorial Legion 631.

Persons in the photo are: Major (Ret`d) John H. Russell, OMM, CD, (O St G /USA) - Son of Albert J. Russell, RRC, Master Corporal Colten Bombara from the Princess of Wales` Own (PWOR) Cadet Corps, acting as the escort.

Gravenhurst

The Probus Club of Gravenhurst held their November meeting at the Opera House in Gravenhurst. Special guest Frederick E. Hurd son of Captain E L Hurd of the RRC presented ‘Lives Lived’. The local Legion and general public were invited.

“ There was a full house today (November 19th, 2024) at the Opera House for my PowerPoint presentation about the post-war lives of the POWs and specifically my Dad. We were delighted to have so many lined up to make their comments, so many with tears in their eyes. It was a difficult presentation for me as it was so personal, however I persevered, as my dad would have, and got through it."

From Mike Babin

After the war, Hong Kong Veteran Marcel Doiron joined The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. Friends of Marcel from that Regiment gathered recently at Elmwood Cemetery in Markham, ON on 5 November 2024 to pay respects and to attach the gravestone marker.

Hello everyone,

Another year is fast coming to a close and already looking forward to the new one.

Sad to report the loss of Audrey Lowe, widow of Arthur Lowe RRC, and members and great supporters of our Association, Orlay Benwell and Francis Corbett.

We continue to keep our members informed on events and happenings in our region and across Canada with our regional newsletter or notices. We thank all our members for their support with their dues and donations.

Families and friends paid their respects during V-J Ceremonies across the province. Many participated in Remembrance Ceremonies on November 11 in their region. We Will Remember Them!

Our region joined the residents of Bury, QC and immediate area in honouring our veterans by installing a banner in remembrance to all our Royal Rifles Veterans in Hong Kong, as many of our veterans came from the area. Families remembered their loved one by having their picture on the banner as the association had only the RRC crest, representing all RRC Veterans. These banners honouring veterans were installed for the Remembrance Week for all to see, taken down and will be re-installed next year.

We will soon be sending our Season Greetings and Best Wishes for a healthy New Year to all our members.

A group of members are fast at work organising the 80th Anniversary of the end of the war in the Pacific. Please mark the dates of August 14 to 17, 2025 on your new calendar, dates of our convention in Ottawa, On. Your invitation kits will be sent to all early in the year. Many activities are being planned as well as a Commemorative Ceremony at our HKVCA Memorial Wall and a visit to the War Museum with a new and special exhibit. Much more info elsewhere in this edition.

Looking forward to meeting you in Ottawa. It would be greatly appreciated hearing from you about your intention to attend this great event. It would be of great help in the planning of the event and assuring no member or friend of the association is left out.

Season Greetings to all for a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year 2025.

Hello from the Atlantic Region.

Things in the Atlantic Region have been rather quiet, but we are still keeping up with membership. Early this fall, I had the opportunity to visit Memorial Park in Bass River, NS. Within the park, there is a memorial to animals that dedicated their lives to serving their country. It is a remarkable park, out of the way, but worth visiting and enjoying the park's layout.

In New Brunswick, Andy Flanagan set up two HK displays: one at Jacquet River School, organized by the students. He wore his blazer with the HKVCA badge and answered questions from the students about the Battle of HK and the POWs. In his presentation, Andy included Gander, which was significant.

The second display was at Jacquet River RC Church for their Remembrance Day Mass.

I participated in the annual Remembrance Day ceremonies at local Legion Branch 150. It was a rather wet day, but that did not deter the larger crowd in attendance this year. Many youths were present, and the local school provided a choir to sing some songs. Wreaths were laid, and my three brothers and I laid one for the HK POW.

Gravestone Marker Committee

We would like to welcome Roxanna Fenning for volunteering while attending a Prairie Region meeting for this HKVCA project committee. Roxanna has taken on the challenge of contacting the Manitoba HK Veteran family members and specific cemeteries to explain our Gravestone Marker project. Welcome Roxanna.

Anyone else like to join us?

We would like to thank the latest donors to the HKVCA Gravestone Marker fund. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to Susan Burrows, Leonard Cotton, Derrill Henderson, Charles Lester, Gerald Badger, Barb Levitt, Joanne Parkes, Robert Grieve and Leisa Connelly. We even had a surprise from St. John's Cemetery in Ottawa.

Without all of you, these veteran gravestones would never have had these unique HK markers affixed - Auguste Malboeuf, Wells Bishop, Maurice Latulippe, and Kenneth Laxson.

If you would like to see the updated gravestone pictures, go to this link and type in the​ first 3 letters of the veteran's last name.

To purchase a Gravestone Marker or donate to this fund, see this link

Dues are Due

It’s that wonderful time of the year! Christmas, yes, but don’t forget to visit our Contacts and Membership page to pay your 2025 dues.

Not sure if you paid your 2024 dues? Drop us a line and we’ll let you know.

Pension Settlement - Reminder

Veterans Affairs Canada recently settled a lawsuit concerning miscalculations in disability pensions and benefits

If you are related to a Veteran who received disability pension payments, you might be eligible for compensation. Visit https://veteranspensionsettlement.kpmg.ca/ to learn more about eligibility and how to file a claim. If you prefer, you can phone 1 (833) 839-0648 for information. Act soon to ensure you receive the compensation you may be entitled to and make sure others who could be entitled are aware.

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