Individual

Kyle Scott

Kyle Scott
Commendation Year
2021
Commendation Type
Individual

Thanks to the determination and steadfast commitment of Kyle Scott, more than 750 previously unmarked graves in Canadian cemeteries now have permanent military-style markers for those Veterans who lie in them. He leaves no stone unturned in researching graves, and submitting applications to the Last Post Fund so they will be marked properly. 

This is part of his personal commitment to ensuring that no Veteran will be forgotten and that they will be cared for long after they are gone. He meticulously cleans Veteran headstones in his local cemetery so the insignia and writing are legible. As well, he and his Royal Canadian Legion comrades mark each grave with a Canadian flag in commemoration of Canada Day. 

Kyle has helped 550 eligible and deserving Veterans get a replacement or an initial issue of service medals, and he has presented Quilts of Valour to ill or injured Canadian Armed Forces Veterans as a thank you from this grateful nation.

One activity that best illustrates Kyle’s care for and service to Veterans came after a phone call from a family, whose father was in a nursing home and nearing death. Kyle immediately sprung into action, not letting pandemic restrictions stand in the way of honouring this Veteran. He rallied Legion members and their families and a bugler to gather at the man’s ground floor window to pay tribute to him. According to his children and grandchildren, the Veteran was moved by the ceremony. For Kyle, “Lest We Forget,” are not just words, they are his personal mission statement. 

 

Terry Malchuk

Terry Malchuk
Commendation Year
2021
Commendation Type
Individual

Terry Malchuk wears his heart on his sleeve. A heart that is passionate about supporting and advocating for mental health and quality of life for Veterans. He also supports others who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, including RCMP and first responders.

Five years ago, long after he left the military, Terry realized he needed help. He reached out for it and received it. With a PTSD diagnosis, he immediately began working on his own recovery while at the same time paying it forward to others in need.

What makes Terry really stand out is how quick he is to share his experience and advice with many Veterans, introducing them to various tools and techniques he himself has found helpful. He is very active on social media and is always seeking ways to reach out and share his knowledge. In 2020 for example, he shared his story on a podcast for people suffering from PTSD called Brewed Awakenings. He also reaches out directly to individual Veterans in need of his support.

Terry provides support to others with PTSD in a number of ways. He has been trained in peer support through Veterans Affairs Canada PTSD support programs and has completed the PPCLI Association mental health first aid course. He is now a facilitator for the Chilliwack Operational Stress Injury Social Support peer support group, and volunteers with Boots on the Ground, a peer support organization for first responders.

 

Sean Bruyea

Sean Bruyea
Commendation Year
2022
Commendation Type
Lifetime Contribution

Sean Bruyea has written for and moderated online forums, including VeteranVoice.info and VeteransCanada.ca. 

Also, he has advocated for Veterans for more than 20 years; provided testimony to various Parliamentary committees; and shared his views and opinions with the OVO and media on issues impacting Veterans. 

Sean advocates and writes on Veterans issues, including issues related to the New Veterans Charter, and distress-specific Veterans (including housing for a homeless Veteran, and Veterans difficulties to understand and navigate VAC’s system). 

 

John Robert Walsh

John Robert Walsh
Commendation Year
2022
Commendation Type
Individual

J. Robert Walsh is a Canadian Armed Forces Veteran. He is an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion both sitting on the Executive Committee and serving in the branch’s Service Office. He won the Medal of Bravery for intervening in a vicious fight when he was a school teacher. He also tracked down a homeless Veteran in Brampton, placed him in an apartment and worked with him to address his medical and employment needs.

 

Michael Pretty

Michael Pretty
Commendation Year
2022
Commendation Type
Individual

After serving 30 years in the military, Michael founded and created The Trail of the Caribou Research Group. Michael tirelessly searches the globe for graves of unmarked soldiers in an effort to commemorate them. The mandate of his foundation is to remember Newfoundlanders who have fought in foreign wars and other armies. His research has led to finding thousands of graves.

One headstone at a time: behind a quest to document N.L. military gravesites | CBC News
 

 

Brigitte Laverdure

Brigitte Laverdure
Commendation Year
2020
Commendation Type
Individual

To call Brigitte Laverdure a lifesaver is no exaggeration. That’s exactly what many Veterans in Canada’s LGBTQ community consider her.

For a 20-year period in the late 1900s, members of the military were subject to a government policy which did not allow non-heterosexuals in the Canadian Forces. Several gay and lesbian members were discharged or quit during that period.

Decades later, several of these men and women were suffering with mental health issues, feeling isolated and even suicidal. Many were struggling with their identity as Veterans. Brigitte reached out when they needed someone most, and was there to listen, understand and help.

Many of these Veterans received or are currently receiving guidance and support from Brigitte through "Victims of CFAO 19-20 in Quebec", a group she established, as well as through her peer support work with Veterans UN-NATO Canada.

Brigitte reaches out to Veterans, especially those she served with during the time of the ban. She assists them with filling out the required paperwork to access Veterans Affairs Canada benefits and continues to check in with them to ensure they are doing okay. Brigitte selflessly and tirelessly works with these women until they receive the support and the recognition of service they deserve as Canadian Veterans.

In the bigger picture, her support group has called upon the Government of Canada to issue a formal apology and provide psychological and financial help to gay (LGBTQ2+) Veterans who served during that period.