St-Tite, Quebec
Mr. Hervé Coté is a Veteran of the Second World War. Until 1981, he cared for his sick wife, a Veteran who had served four years overseas as a military nurse. Despite his health and mobility problems, Mr. Coté has assisted numerous Veterans and widows in obtaining benefit entitlements and, in the past 10 years, has referred many cases to Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). He then follows the cases he refers to Veterans Affairs with remarkable determination, ensuring their needs are met. Mr. Coté also sat on a Veterans Affairs Canada consultation committee where he travelled 200 km a day to give presentations on departmental policies. He maintains close contact with the Last Post Fund to ensure that Veterans are not forgotten and receive this ultimate recognition. Mr. Coté's sensitivity and devotion to the well being of Veterans and their dependents is evident in his skills as their spokesperson. In addition to his dedication to Veterans, Mr. Coté was also mayor of his municipality and vice-chairman of the local school board federation.