Lieutenant-General (Retired) Charles H. Belzile retired from the Canadian Forces in 1987 after a lengthy and notable career. Mr. Belzile served in the Korean War and following that, assumed a number of high-profile staff and command positions in the Army. His honours include the Order of Canada, Commander of the Order of Military Merit and Commandeur de la Légion d'honneur in France. He is a recipient of the Vimy Award, which recognizes Canadians who have made a significant and outstanding contribution to the defence and security of our nation and the preservation of our democratic values. Mr. Belzile has been active in the Cadet movement and served as the colonel commandant of The Royal Canadian Army Cadets from 1992 to 1996.
He has served as president of the Canadian Battle of Normandy Foundation (now the Canadian Battlefields Foundation), which funds educational tours of European battlefields and cemeteries. His other volunteer positions have included president of the Conference of Defence Associations and member of the Canadian War Museum Advisory Council. Mr. Belzile was the chair of the Veterans Affairs Canada 60th Anniversary Committee to commemorate VE-Day to ensure Canadians shared a deeper appreciation of this significant event in Canada's military history. For the past eight years he has served as the Honorary Grand President of The Royal Canadian Legion. In this capacity, he has attended'and participated in'countless commemorative ceremonies and events honouring the contribution of former and current members of the Canadian Forces. Mr. Belzile is an energetic, distinguished and gracious champion of Canada's Veterans.