Tweed, Ontario
Mr. Vermeer is a retired Canadian Forces Veteran. During his military career, he became involved with collecting military artefacts and researching military history. Now retired, Mr. Vermeer uses the items he has collected over the years to create and mount an annual display at the Tweed Heritage Centre. These displays honour those from the Tweed area who served in the military from the First World War to the mission in Afghanistan. Mr. Vermeer is an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) and while serving as poppy chairman for Branch 631 in Kingston, he raised more funds than any of his predecessors. He then moved and transferred to the RCL Branch in Tweed where he holds the honorary position of Branch Historian and is a member of the Legion’s Colour Party. In 2009, troops from CFB Petawawa came through Tweed en route to Afghanistan and Mr. Vermeer was instrumental in ensuring that all major participants received a certificate of appreciation from the RCL. Mr. Vermeer gives many speeches to local youth during Veterans' Week each year. In May of 2007, when the municipality of Tweed constructed a monument to those who gave their lives in Afghanistan, Mr. Vermeer produced a booklet with the names of all Canadian Forces personnel who had made the ultimate sacrifice up to that point. The booklet was presented to Silver Cross wives and mothers, and to everyone who attended the ceremony.