From left to right: Member of Parliament Alana Hirtle, Justin McKay, and Minister of Veterans Affairs Jill McKnight.
Justin McKay, a Veteran and Sergeant-at-Arms for the Amherst Branch 10 of The Royal Canadian Legion, has been an active advocate for the welfare of Veterans for over two years. His services have been particularly focused on honoring the sacrifices of Veterans who served in the Afghanistan conflict from 2001 to 2014.
Justin’s initiatives include the initiation of a monthly “Veterans coffee break” at the Branch, providing a platform for Veterans to discuss their issues. Hearing directly from them, he recognized the need for a dedicated space for Afghanistan Veterans.
He worked hard with federal, provincial and municipal political leaders, Nova Scotia corporate entities and the general public to gain the necessary support to establish the war memorial in Amherst. He successfully raised over $38,000 in donations from various sources and negotiated with the Town of Amherst for the memorial’s location. His efforts were recognized in the unveiling ceremony of the monument on 23 September 2023, attended by hundreds of Afghanistan Veterans. The memorial lists the names of all 158 Canadian Armed Forces members who lost their lives during the war in Afghanistan. Justin’s dedication to the project has provided a place for Veterans, their families, and the public to honour and reflect on the sacrifices made by Canadians during the Afghanistan conflict.
His work ensures that no Veteran in Cumberland County will be forgotten; earning him a certificate of appreciation from the President of Nova Scotia Command of The Royal Canadian Legion. Justin continues to involve youth in remembrance ceremonies, promoting his commitment to the welfare of Veterans.