Mr. Richard is a retired Canadian Forces Veteran who served for nearly 25 years. He has been on the boards of administration for many organizations, including the Last Post Fund. As president of the latter, he was instrumental in the extension of the Field of Honour Cemetery in Pointe-Claire. For 13 years, he has been an active member of The Royal Canadian Legion, serving as poppy fund chair, welfare chair, and currently serving a fourth term as Branch President. For many years, Mr. Richard has organized Remembrance Day services and continues to visit schools and lead their services. He heads monthly visits to Ste. Anne's Hospital and is very active in its Poppy Campaign. He initiated a project to assist Second World War Veterans in obtaining pension benefits. In 2007, he organized and chaired a joint committee to oversee the replacement of four stolen commemorative plaques, including one from the city cenotaph. He spent hundreds of hours verifying names on the honour rolls and fundraising to have the plaques replaced. The rededication of the plaques occurred in November 2007.