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.