Victoria, British Columbia
A Second World War Veteran and long-time member of The Royal Canadian Legion, Mr. Cockrell has been devoted to the well-being of Veterans in the Greater Victoria Area for almost 40 years. Mr. Cockrell is the Branch's Service Officer and sits on committees at the Veterans Memorial Manor and Broadmead Lodge. A member of the Committee for more than 30 years, Mr. Cockrell has been tending to the needs of Veterans and their dependants, assisting them with pension claims, and providing them with financial aid and support at funerals. Mr. Cockrell has been a member of the Legions' Veterans and Seniors Committee for eight years and has offered much-needed input and wisdom in that committee's work. In addition to volunteering at the Legion, Mr. Cockrell is active in various seniors' housing projects and has initiated repair and maintenance of Veterans' graves at Hatley Memorial Gardens in Langford, British Columbia. Mr. Cockrell has been active in commemorative activities and plays a key role in coordinating and facilitating yearly Remembrance Day ceremonies. He was involved in The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier project, visits local schools during Veterans' Week and, in 1995, was chosen to carry the Peace Torch to Ottawa in recognition of his work on local commemoration projects. Mr. Cockrell has made outstanding contributions to the remembrance of the sacrifice and achievements of Canadian Veterans.