Dorval, Quebec
Mr. Richard Cartmel is a retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces and is very passionate about assisting Veterans as well as passing on the torch of remembrance to future generations. Mr. Cartmel played a primary role in organizing and setting up the Remembrance Day ceremony in Dorval in 2015, including composing the main speeches for the event. In September 2015, for the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Mr. Cartmel arranged and assisted in setting up the Dorval Museum ceremony. The event was the largest ceremony in the museum’s history with over two hundred people in attendance. For the opening day of the Beaconsfield Park of Heroes, Mr. Cartmel arranged for the attendance of any Second World War Veterans who wished to attend. He has also volunteered his time as parade marshal at many events, and has been a guest speaker at schools and to seniors groups during Veterans’ Week. Mr. Cartmel has also played a central role on the committee which was set up to save the Veterans Hospital in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, a place he has visited often over the years. He has also appeared on radio and television programs, raising concerns on behalf of Veterans and promoting the importance of Veterans’ Week and Remembrance Day. Upon hearing that a Veteran and his wife were considering declining an invitation to attend the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Holland due to mobility issues, Mr. Cartmel graciously offered his assistance as an escort on their trip, attending at his own expense. In March 2016, Mr. Cartmel was instrumental in organizing a gathering of Second World War prisoner of war Veterans to reminisce about their service.