Sydney, Nova Scotia
Mr. Thorne is a Second World War Veteran who served as a navigator in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for over 60 years where he has served as Service Officer, Secretary, Vice-President, President and Zone Commander. Mr. Thorne is a recipient of the Legion's highest award, the Meritorious Service Medal. For the past 20 years, he has served as Secretary of the Cape Breton Veterans Comfort Society which ensures that weekly visits are made to local Veterans who are hospitalized. Mr. Thorne is also into his sixth year as the Veterans' representative on the Cape Breton Hospital Complex's Accreditation Team. Mr. Thorne has been active in preserving our military heritage and the sacrifices of Canada's Veterans. He was presented with a plaque by the Micmac High School in Eskasoni to thank him for being their guest speaker for ten consecutive years. Mr. Thorne also organized the Caribou Sea Cadets Corps in North Sydney. In addition to his dedication to the Veteran community, Mr. Thorne spent 9 years as the Sydney Cancer Society's Public Relations Officer; 15 years as Captain of the Coxheath Volunteer Fire Department; and, he was the founder of Nova Scotia's Special Olympics.