Individual

Sandra Conlin

Sandra Conlin
Commendation Year
2025
Commendation Type
Individual

Sandra retired from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) after 37 years of service and achieved the rank of Assistant Commissioner. Since 2016, Sandra has served on the board of Directors of the RCMP Veterans Association in various roles including Association President, the first female President in the Association’s 137-year history.  

During her time as President, she transformed the Association from being primarily a social club to a service provider organization assisting RCMP Veterans and their families who contend with severe financial and physical hardship as well as mental health struggles.  

Sandra serves as a Governor for the Corps of Commissionaires, an organization directly focused on Veterans from all avenues of service, and their employment after retirement. Sandra is also very involved within the community by serving on the Board of the RCMP Foundation and the Bruce Denniston Bone Marrow Society. 

Transcript

So Sandra is a people person. When you speak with Sandra, I think people pick up quite quickly that she's the real deal. She's the genuine article. She cares about people. She doesn't just inspire; she rolls up her sleeves and she actually works herself. She's a member herself of the RCMP Foundation, which is an organization that provides support to at-risk youth across the country and other initiatives. 

She has encouraged other women to bring their talents and their energies forward. Also was a key driver in terms of creating the RCMP Veterans Association Foundation, which was established as our charitable arm. This is a great achievement on her part, providing active assistance to Veterans across the country. And Sandra deserves credit for that because it really has an impact on people in a real significant way. 

Congratulations, Sandra. You work so hard for Veterans across the country and what you do has effect, has impact. Your humility is a big part of your charm. We're grateful for all you do. So thank you very much. 

Stan Dewar

Stan Dewar
Commendation Year
2025
Commendation Type
Individual

As a retired Sergeant of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Stan Dewar continues to support currently serving and recently retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces as they navigate the often complex path from uniform to community. He provides guidance and information on Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) programs and benefits, career and education planning, and overall wellness. Through his network, he helps connect individuals with key resources and has collaborated with medical professionals to improve clarity around VAC paperwork, reducing barriers to access. 

Stan views his post-service work not as a duty, but as a continuation of leadership— offering mentorship, bridging gaps, and empowering young Veterans to thrive in their next adventure. 

Transcript

He's taken aboard himself to learn VAC’s policies and programs and benefits, and he's been helping myself and many other Veterans as they go through the release process and making sure that they're getting the compensation and programs and benefits that they deserve and that they're entitled to. 

It's helpful when you have a person like that because it feels very isolated when you're getting out. He knows it all, and he educates you on what's available and what you can access and helps you obtain those resources. When you're going through that, and you’re swallowed up in your own issues and your own mental struggles, having that person is just... it’s a light through all the darkness that you're going through. And I'm sure just through his actions and his help, it's saved lives because you feel so hopeless. 

But when you have someone like him, it gives you that inspiration to keep going. And he’s a person you can lean on, and he's doing it out of his own desire and his own willingness to care and help others. 

I'm just very proud of what he's doing and how he's doing it, and the amount of people he's helping is amazing. And just knowing him and just seeing what he's doing on his own, it makes me emotional. Just very proud of him. Very well deserved. 

David Mushing

David Mushing
Commendation Year
2025
Commendation Type
Individual

David Mushing is a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veteran.   He is well known in the Veteran community for his long-standing support, guidance and willingness to share his expertise about Veterans Affairs Canada applications and procedures, Canadian Armed Forces medical release matters, and general information of importance to Veterans. He primarily offers this assistance as part of a team of subject matter experts through various Facebook groups that have a significant number of Veteran followers. Veterans come to him seeking help and his well-researched, accurate and timely advice.  

He is described by supporters as being compassionate, selfless, with an unwavering commitment to helping others.   

Transcript

I thought that I understood the matrix of Veterans Affairs. But things had changed a little bit since the last time I needed Veterans services. And so I found a couple of places on Facebook, and this name kept popping up as someone making comments, and it was Dave Mushing. 

And I thought: “Wow, he isn't just sending people to Google. He is giving really detailed explanations.” And over the next couple of years, it continued to be quite a volume of work that he had done. So I thought, you know, these are the quiet people in the background that are making a difference. Had made a difference in my life and made a difference in other Veterans and families lives. 

When I think of the hundreds, maybe even more, of hours that he has spent as a volunteer, helping and recognizing people that he has never met. So David has had an impact by giving them access to answers. There are no quick, easy solutions to the needs of Veterans.  

Thank you, Mr. Mushing, for your knowledge, honesty, and unwavering dedication to helping others. You're helping Veterans make informed choices. You always give great advice. David, this is just a small thank you, multiplied by a thousand and more of the Veterans that you have given peace and grace and information to, and we are just so grateful. Thank you so much. 

Lisa Cyr

Lisa Cyr
Commendation Year
2025
Commendation Type
Individual

Corporal (Ret'd) Lisa Cyr is a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran devoted to supporting Veterans and their families. In 2019, she founded the Ma Langue Aux Chats cat café, a safe space where Veterans and their loved ones from all around the world can gather. More than just a café, it acts as a beacon for Veterans, encouraging them to get out of isolation through pet therapy and a caring environment.  

Located in a heritage building that served as an enlistment centre during World War I, then as the Le Vétéran (Le Vet) tavern, the café carries on this tradition by promoting Veteran entrepreneurship, especially through Veteran creations. 

In 2024, Lisa founded the not-for-profit La Vet Ma Langue Aux Chats through donations and reinvesting the café’s profits to support Veterans on a larger scale.  

An active member of the Club Kiwanis de Québec and Respect Canada for Quebec City, Lisa participates in several fundraising activities to break Veterans’ isolation. Recently, she organized the second VetRide, an annual event bringing together Veterans and dignitaries to highlight the vitality of Quebec’s Veteran community. 

Lisa also created a symbolic mascot bearing 11:11 as a tribute to the location and Veterans. Present at ceremonies and community events, the mascot embodies memory, comfort and pride. Stuffed versions even travelled to Juno Beach, where Lisa and five Veterans took part in the ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day. 

Transcript

Lisa est une personne totalement dévoué à la cause des vétérans. Quand elle est sortie des forces dans le fond, elle a entrepris l'achat du café, qui est un café à vocation de zoothérapie avec des chats. Elle avait l'intention que ce soit un endroit où tous les vétérans de n'importe quelle organisation puissent se réunir pour avoir une place sécuritaire. 

Il y a vraiment beaucoup de vétérans qui n'avaient pas de place où aller, qui n'avaient pas le goût de parler, sans personne vraiment pour les aider. Lisa a hébergé personnellement plusieurs vétérans qu'elle a réintégrés à la société. Lisa fait des levées de fonds aussi, participe avec des gens du café, la Fondation de l'Alzheimer, la Fondation des maladies du cœur, Kiwanis. 

Donc le café est vraiment comme un point central. Pour elle, les problèmes, ils ont toujours des solutions ou presque. Chère Lisa, chère amie, je te souhaite une longue vie encore, beaucoup de santé. Je souhaite longue vie au café et à tous les projets que tu vas créer, que tu vas faire pour les vétérans. Je sais que ce n'est pas fini, et j'espère pouvoir participer encore a de nombreuses aventures avec toi et avec le café et de nombreux vétérans. 

Vivienne Stewart

Vivienne Stewart
Commendation Year
2025
Commendation Type
Individual

Vivienne Stewart is a retired member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Following her service, she obtained law degrees from the University of British Columbia and the University of Strathclyde. She played a crucial role in establishing the RCMP Veteran Women’s Council (RCMPVWC) within the RCMP Veterans Association.   

In 2014, Vivienne provided invaluable editorial and content advice for the RCMPVWC report, “Addressing a Gap in Leadership,” which informed Senator Grant Mitchell and Member of Parliament Judy Sgro's report "Shattered Dreams: Addressing Systemic Harassment within the RCMP."   

From 2015 to 2022, Vivienne collaborated with Council members on matters related to the Merlo-Davidson class action which involved claims by thousands of former and still-serving women RCMP members for sexual harassment, assault and other harms. In 2023, Vivienne led the RCMPVWC's campaigns to exempt Merlo-Davidson claimants' damage awards from Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC) claw backs and to modify the date for acceptance of claims to include claims by applicants who had died prior to their claim being assessed.  She also appeared before the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (ACVA) studying the Experiences of Canadian Women Veterans and, among others, raised the claw back issue with the Committee. 

In 2024, the Minister of VAC appointed Vivienne to the newly established Women Veterans Council. She continues to serve on the RCMPVWC, is co-chair of the VA Women Veterans Council, and, acts as team lead on the Service Delivery sub-group which is working to identify where improvements are needed in VAC programs and services to Women Veterans.  In March 2025, Vivienne was recognized as a Remarkable Leader by the Women in Defence & Security (WIDS). 

Transcript

Vivienne was an RCMP officer. She was one of the pioneer women, so she joined back in the 70s. She left the RCMP to pursue a career in law. And as a lawyer and as a Veteran, she's contributed immensely to making a lot of changes for women Veterans. Just recently was appointed to the Women's Veterans Council, so she's continuing to work for Veterans and advocating for Veterans, specifically women Veterans. 

She's been certainly a mentor to me on that particular council. She's just one of those women who supports other women. And I've always believed that, you know, there's just a special place in heaven for women who support women. 

Definitely would like to say congratulations on this award. She is so deserving, and I believe that she's going to continue the work that she's already started, and I hope she does.

Darren Reid

Sergeant Darren Reid
Commendation Year
2024
Commendation Type
Individual

Sergeant Darren Reid is currently in his 35th year of service in the Canadian Armed Forces and continues giving to this community through his support of serving members, Veterans, and families. After a particularly difficult deployment, Darren identified a need for peer support and in 2005 initiated a peer support network for families of deployed members and medically repatriated Veterans. As well, through his work in the Royal Canadian Legion, Darren provides assistance to the Veterans community, and promotes several mental health initiatives locally and across the country. An advocate for the well-being of Veterans and their families, Darren also organizes Christmas gifts for Veterans in long term care facilities.

Transcript

My inspiration for nominating Sergeant Reid was Darren's ever-present dedication to supporting military members, Veterans and their families, and for bringing fresh eyes to the Royal Canadian Legion. Darren has given countless hours of himself. The amount of information and resources and peer support that he's provided over decades is life- changing.

He is also involved with Veterans Affairs Canada as a stakeholder and Veterans advocate, who has been called upon many times for advice and input, and he is a lived experience advisor with Atlas Institute, and his involvement with Royal Canadian Legion's Operational Stress Injury Network identifies Veterans in need and connects them with other Veterans through the Buddy Check Coffee and Operation Vet Build programs.

Sergeant Darren Reid, your impeccable work and reputation are admirable. You are a powerful example of how dedication, hard work, and empathy combined with mental health outreach can bring about significant change. Your achievements inspire hope and optimism for the future of the Veterans community. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Well done.

Amanda Anderson

Amanda Anderson
Commendation Year
2024
Commendation Type
Individual

After Amanda Anderson lost her spouse Corporal Jordan Anderson while he was serving in Afghanistan, she experienced first-hand the gaps in information and policy on Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) survivor benefits and services, and identified a need for benefit navigation as well as for compassionate peer support. For over thirteen years, Amanda has supported others who have lost loved ones in military service. Amanda is a dedicated leader of the Survivors Group, through which she guides grieving family members along the bureaucratic processes that follow such tragic losses. Amanda advocates for survivors’ access to information from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and VAC and is instrumental in supporting the CAF survivors’ community.

Transcript

Amanda is basically an unsung hero, helping widows and Veterans and families to offer guidance and support.

A lot of her support to me has been through information. I didn't know certain terms. I don't know the acronyms; I don't know what forms I need. Her group is a safe place where widows can go and get information and get support and get help and get a big hug. And sort of having a hero, like an advocate going “This is what you do next. I know it's overwhelming, but please keep going and we're here to support you.”

She knows a lot of other people who've maybe gone through the same thing and processes that they did. It helps the community and helps all of us when we're able to talk to each other. A lot of the times she just checks in on us too and says “Are you okay? How are you feeling about this? Are you okay? Is everything overwhelming? What can I do to help?”

A lot of it's about resources, but a lot of it is sort of somebody else saying that it's okay to have feelings about this. And sometimes that's all you need.

Amanda, I can't thank you enough for everything you do for all of us. You're a light in this world. And please don't ever stop.

Ed Miller

Ed Miller
Commendation Year
2024
Commendation Type
Individual

A former Royal Canadian Military Police (RCMP) member, Ed Miller has been actively involved in the Saskatoon RCMP Veterans Association since 1998. Ed reaches out to recently released or retired RCMP members to guide them through the complex service and benefit processes; he also provides volunteer pastoral counselling support for bereaved or in-crisis RCMP Veterans, spouses, and family members, clarifying benefits for survivors and connecting them with resources. Throughout his efforts, Ed strives to create a sense of community by advocating for the rights and well-being of RCMP Veterans and their families.

Transcript

Ed has that personality, that demeanor to make you feel good. He is well known in the whole area of Saskatoon. If you know a Veteran or an RCMP and you mention Ed, they’ve either met him, know him or heard of him.

Does a lot of work for his church, outreach. Teaches English through the Open Door Society to our new immigrants. He's a member of the local Masonic and Shriners. Very heavily involved in fundraising for the Children's Hospital.

He's always talking to people, reaching out to people. You know, even during Covid, he made sure when he heard that somebody was hospitalized or sick, it was the continual phone calls. Ed's the guy, the first phone call. There's an illness or sickness or death, Ed Miller will call you.

Ed, continue on showing up to coffee, starting off with a joke to get everyone laughing. And then fill us in and continue on that support work for our community, the Vets community, and the whole community as a whole.

Ian Edward Atkins

Ian Edward Atkins
Commendation Year
2024
Commendation Type
Individual

After a 37-year career in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) during which he earned the Officer of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces honour, Ian Atkins has been a part of the RCMP Veterans’ Association and its Foundation, Nova Scotia Division, for over 15 years. During this time he has served in many positions including President and has effected change at systemic and individual levels. Both Ian and his spouse, Cherlynn, give freely of their time to ensure that individuals in the RCMP/Veterans community are aware of and connected to available programs and services.

Transcript

The commitment and hard work that Ian puts into the [RCMP] Association; it's extraordinary the amount of hours that he contributes on a volunteer basis. Not just in Nova Scotia, but also on national programs as well. He's worked in many roles. I think he's held every executive position in Nova Scotia. He just is one of those people that’s a go-to person. On governance, on leadership, on ways forward.

We had to establish a charity foundation. And Ian was instrumental in the establishment of that [RCMP Association] Foundation. Today, [it] supports former members and their families as well as others in need, including serving members and their families. An extraordinary legacy will be left by the Foundation based on Ian's work.

Thank you Ian, and well done for a phenomenal job in all the areas that, you're involved with. You've left a great impression, and a great legacy. Not that it's over by any estimation, but thank you so much. And I know I speak on behalf of everyone. We can't think of a more deserving individual than you to receive this award.

Matthew Anderson

Matthew Anderson
Commendation Year
2024
Commendation Type
Individual

Matthew Anderson is a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Veteran whose immense personal investment in the mental health of his fellow Veterans is made clear by the many ways he connects with those who are struggling. Matthew co-founded Helping Heroes Heal, an organization that helps first responders, Veterans and military members by providing peer support as well as empowering participants and their families through sport and adventure. Matthew also created The 158 Podcast with three other Veterans all grappling with the loss of 158 CAF members in Afghanistan. On a community and an individual level, Matthew has made a significant difference in the lives of many Veterans and their loved ones.

Transcript

Matt is co-founder of Helping Heroes Heal. Their mandate is to better the lives of Veterans and their families and first responders and their families through sport activities within the community. Many of the individuals involved with Helping Heroes Heal have suffered injury, either a visible injury or invisible injury.

Some snippets from some testimonials that I have received: Matt, being able to walk alongside you through this journey has been an absolute privilege. We helped you plant the seeds for healing and look at how they have grown. Facing the reality of trauma, you have accomplished so much growth. You demonstrate compassionate leadership when it comes to Helping Heroes Heal, and helping others get what they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

Matt, on behalf of myself, our family, our friends, the community that you have created with Helping Heroes Heal, I want to thank you for having the strength and the courage to do everything that you do and tell you that we all love you so much and congratulate you on receiving this commendation. It is well deserved.

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