Ottawa, Ontario
Mr. Leblanc served in the Korean War and retired from the Canadian Armed Forces after 26 years of service. He joined the National Capital Unit of the Korea Veterans' Association in 1991 and has served as Chairman of the Sick and Visiting Committee for the past 16 years. Together with the help of his late wife, Denise, Mr. Leblanc has ensured the care and wellbeing of Veterans is foremost. Mr. Leblanc regularly visits Veterans at the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre as well as Veterans and their spouses who are in other hospitals or confined to their homes. Mr. Leblanc provides reading materials, gifts and transports personal items and messages to and from Veterans who are incapable of doing so themselves. In over 16 years of service to the centre, it is estimated that Mr. Leblanc has made literally thousands of visits to the Centre. He also assists the Centre in organizing functions and activities for the Veterans. Mr. Leblanc also coordinates visits by Korean Embassy staff, Korean choirs and dancers, and ensures local Veterans are transported to and from events hosted by other Veterans' organizations in Ottawa. For many years Mr. Leblanc ran the Korea War display at Billings Bridge Shopping Centre during Veterans' Week. Although Mr. Leblanc's health may not be what it once was, he insists on fulfilling his duties and ensuring his comrades are well taken care of.