Val Caron, Ontario
Mr. Dan Peter Draper was released from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1997, at which time he moved his family back to their home area of Greater Sudbury. After a career in service to Canada, his attention is now focused on helping his fellow Veterans. As the area administrator for the UN/NATO Veterans of Canada, he has been responsible for a new generation of Veterans visiting schools for remembrance services as well as conducting full remembrance services for local schools and youth groups.
It was Mr. Draper’s initiative that partnered the Sudbury Wolves Junior Hockey organization with military groups in the Greater Sudbury area for a Remembrance service at centre ice at the start of the last home game prior to November 11. Mr. Draper sought sponsors to donate money for tickets to the game and arranged for Veterans and family members to receive nominal fee tickets. He worked tirelessly at putting his vision into action, which has resulted in an established annual event in Sudbury.
Mr. Draper is also responsible for another annual event that recognizes United Nations peacekeepers and NATO Veterans in the community. This event honours a new generation of Veterans and also raises awareness of these unsung heroes.