Shellbrook, Saskatchewan
A former Veteran of the Canadian Forces (CF), Mr. Steel has been a strong advocate on behalf of the Veterans in his community. A dedicated Service Officer of The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Shellbrook Branch, he has assisted Veterans and their spouses in obtaining benefit entitlements, and on their behalf, liaises with the local Veterans Affairs Canada area counsellor. Mr. Steel gives presentations to school children during Veterans' Week, during which he speaks about the importance of remembrance. He was involved in the creation of the Korean War Memorial in 1999, and is working to have the area around the cenotaph dedicated as "Veterans Memorial Park". Mr. Steel also initiated the installation of a columbarium at the Shellbrook cemetery and, as a result, a 100 foot long beam was constructed upon which individual burial plaques will be mounted. A bronze plaque mounted by the Shellbrook Legion Branch adorns its south end. From within his RCL Branch, Mr. Steel also made the arrangements to sponsor two pipers to play at the Juno Beach Ceremony, on the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Normandy.