Lifetime Contribution

Ninety-seven-year-old Lieutenant (Ret’d) Wolf William Solkin is a World War Two Veteran, who helped liberate the Netherlands in 1945. Today, he is still fighting, only now it’s for the rights of his fellow Canadian Veterans. As president of the Veterans Committee at Ste. Anne’s hospital, where he is a resident, Wolf is a staunch advocate for the approximately 100 Veterans who call the hospital home.

He is especially attuned to the quality of care he and his fellow Veterans receive at Ste. Anne’s. Unsatisfied with what he saw as a drastic deterioration in services at the hospital since its transfer from the federal to provincial government in 2016, Wolf filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of more than 150 Veterans and their families.

Recently, he launched a letter writing campaign lobbying for stronger safety measures to protect the most vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has even planted the idea of currently serving military personnel visiting the residents to raise spirits and lift morale. He has made a multitude of positive changes to Veteran’s care and services at St. Anne’s.

Jack O’Reilly is described as a Mountie’s Mountie. That’s high and well-deserved praise for a retired member of the Force who regularly volunteers countless hours in service to both still serving and former members.

Jack is valuable member of the RCMP Veterans Association, active in several areas of the organization’s work. His contributions on the Divisional Graves Program caught the attention of then Commissioner Bob Paulson. At the request of the Commissioner, he took on the monumental task of identifying, finding and maintaining the gravesites of the original 300 members of the North West Mounted Police. He also took on the task of locating the final resting places of every member of the RCMP Honour Roll. He and a team of fellow volunteers have had great success. Jack’s dedicated research and impressive determination led to him personally locating many lost RCMP Veterans’ gravesites and ensured that they were marked to honour the Veteran’s service.

Mention “exceptional dedication,” “hard work,” and “selfless motivation” within Newfoundland and Labrador Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) circles and the members and Veterans will immediately think of Helen Escott! 

Helen is a founding member of the B Division Fallen Members’ Fund. She spearheads events to raise money for the fund, which assists members who want to attend the funeral of any peace officer whose death was duty related. For 19 years, she has helped the RCMP raise money for local charities, co-chairing Klondike Night, raising some $60,000 a year.

Dr. John Whelan served in the Canadian Armed Forces for nearly nine years before leaving to pursue a career as a psychologist in trauma care. Ever since, he has been dedicated to treating Veterans who are dealing with mental health illnesses.

Based on his experiences in the military and having been director of a base addictions program, John developed a comprehensive proposal for a treatment clinic for Veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder and an addiction issue. From fostering a working relationship with Veterans Affairs Canada and balancing an ever-increasing caseload, to filing and cleaning, he puts his heart and soul into the establishment and successful operation of the clinic. 

While operating a busy clinic, Dr Whelan willingly helped other organizations that are dedicated to supporting Veterans, earning him great respect within the Veteran community. He has closed the clinic during the pandemic, while continuing to treat individual Veterans.

He has spent countless volunteer hours developing a curriculum for Camp Aftermath, a charity to assist Veterans living with PTSD or experiencing mental health problems arising from a public health role. And his commitment to that group provides a strong clinical foundation while attracting other mental health experts and volunteers.

Victoria Coffey is a Veteran and has been a member of the Comox, BC Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 160, since 1997. She helps resolve many issues plaguing retired and active military personnel throughout the community of Comox, BC and steadfastly keeps on Veterans’ cases until the issue is resolved in their favour.

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). 

Kent Griffiths served for 43 years. His habit of taking the time to talk to Veterans and thank them for their service goes back to the 1970s.

Thanks to Kent, each November, 3500 crosses are erected in the park along Memorial Drive in Calgary. Each morning from November 1 to the 11th, at sunrise, a ceremony is held with choirs, military, pageantry, buglers, pipers, families, Veterans and guests paying tribute to our fallen. 

‘They gave up all of their tomorrows for our todays’: Unique ceremony honours fallen Alberta veterans | Watch News Videos Online (globalnews.ca)

Our Team – Field of Crosses

Former RSM - The Calgary Highlanders

Fern Taillefer’s devotion to King and Country remains as strong as it was when he began his service at the age of 18. He served in the Canadian Armed Forces from 1974 to 1996 in Egypt, Israel and in NATO overseas missions before returning to Canada in 1987.  Since his retirement, he has dedicated his life to serving those who served. He is a “go to” person for Veterans requiring assistance with benefits and navigating Veterans Affairs Canada. Fern spearheaded the creation of Peacekeepers Park, established in 2011 in Angus, Ontario, near CFB Borden. It features the names and faces of the Peacekeepers who died on United Nations and other peacekeeping missions. 

Legion ensures Oro-Medonte soldier, killed in Afghanistan, is not forgotten (5 photos) - Orillia News (orilliamatters.com)

Mr. Fernand (Fern) Taillefer | The Governor General of Canada

Royal Canadian Legion launches digital poppy | CBC News