Ottawa, Ontario
A Second World War Veteran and Hong Kong Prisoner of War, Mr. Cyr worked tirelessly and compassionately on behalf of his fellow Veterans of the Battle for Hong Kong. He was part of a delegation that went to Geneva in 1993, to address a press conference at which he told the story of the Veterans of Hong Kong - when they were Prisoners of War in Hong Kong and Japan - bringing this issue to the attention of the international community. On December 11, 1998, after years of discussions, briefings and representations, the Canadian government granted compensation of $24,000 to surviving Veterans of the Battle for Hong Kong or to their widows for the forced labour and hardship they endured during their captivity. The resolution of this issue was due in large measure to the dedication and diligence of Roger Cyr. As well as being a member of The Royal Canadian Legion, Mr. Cyr was National President of the Hong Kong Veterans' Association for many years.