Mr. Stapleton is a Second World War Veteran who served in the Canadian Merchant Navy. A strong advocate and supporter of Merchant Navy Veterans, Mr. Stapleton=s efforts helped to inspire his local Member of Parliament, Paul Bonwick, to sponsor a successful private members bill to establish a Merchant Navy Veterans Day. In June, 2001, Mr. Bonwick announced Royal Assent of Bill C-411, which designated September 3 as Merchant Navy Veterans Day. He publicly credited Mr. Stapleton for his five year crusade in having his dream become reality. Mr. Stapleton is a member and Past President of the Allied Merchant Marine Association, a member of the Jewish War Veterans and an honorary member of the British Merchant Navy Association. Mr. Stapleton is a recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.