True Patriot Love Foundation honours 19 Canadians with King Charles III Coronation Medal for their contributions to Canada’s military community

TORONTO, ON – April 14, 2025 – True Patriot Love Foundation has honoured 19 deserving Canadians with the presentation of the King Charles III Coronation Medal, awarded to Canadians who have “made a significant contribution to Canada, a province, territory, region or community, or an achievement abroad that brings benefit or honour to Canadians or Canada.”

In all, 30,000 medals will be presented by nominating partners across Canada, including True Patriot Love, Canada’s national foundation for the military community. The Foundation was delighted to be nominated within the sector for this role and undertook a rigorous process to arrive at the final recipients. The 19 chosen for a medal share a common theme: a deep commitment to supporting military members and their families through every step of their journey, including some having served themselves.

True Patriot Love Foundation provides funding to local and national programs that help to build stronger military families, create connection with community, support well-being and mental health, and provide access to recovery and rehabilitation programs for Veterans, serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and their families.

“We offer our sincere congratulations to the recipients of The King Charles III Coronation Medal,” said Nick Booth, CEO, True Patriot Love Foundation. “We applaud each one of these awardees for their contributions to ensure that Veterans and service people live with the security, dignity and purpose that their service and sacrifice deserve.”

True Patriot Love Foundation is proud to recognize the following recipients:

Andrew Leighton John Bird, Richmond Corner, NB: Founder of Connecting Veterans Through Atlantic Salmon, he has made a significant contribution to Canada by supporting Veterans with PTSD. For over 10 years, he has organized and fundraised for first-class trips to the Restigouche River, encouraging healing and connection.

Jeremy Blair, Petawawa, ON: After serving 23 years in the Canadian Forces, Jeremy now runs an outdoor wilderness company that hires fellow Veterans and leads expeditions that support the recovery of Veterans and serving members. His mission is to provide other military members with the transformational experience he had, aiding their transition to civilian life.

Paul Bowes, London, ON: Paul’s contributions to the sport of wheelchair basketball, his support of the military community, and his humanitarian efforts make him a deserving recipient. His impact extends beyond the court, inspiring Veterans and promoting the values of sportsmanship, resilience, and inclusivity.

John Carswell, Richmond Hill, ON: John’s unwavering dedication to the military community, his leadership in education, and his commitment to preserving military history and supporting Veterans demonstrate a vision that sets him apart in his field.

Tim Duncanson, Toronto, ON: Tim is a generous philanthropist and dedicated mentor to Veterans. His commitment to supporting those who served extends beyond financial contributions, offering guidance and career mentorship to help them thrive in civilian life.

Jay Feyko, Greely, ON: Himself a Veteran, Jay managed programs at Soldier On, supporting Veterans and serving members with injuries through the healing power of sport, helping individuals across Canada rebuild their confidence, strength, and sense of community post-service.

Katherine Goddard, Vancouver, BC: Kate represents the Goddard family as a steward of the Captain Nichola Goddard Fund, volunteering her time to honour her sister’s legacy. She is dedicated to ensuring serving and Veteran women receive the recognition and support they truly deserve.

Kathy Grant, Toronto, ON: For three decades, Kathy has raised awareness of the legacy of service of Black Canadians. She researched hundreds of Black Canadian Veterans, sharing their stories, speaking at schools and events, and created the illuminating websites BlackCanadianVeterans.ca and No2ConstructionBattalion.ca.

Amy Green, London, ON: A CAF veteran and founder of the Veterans Wellness Alliance, she advances Veteran wellness by creating programs for mental health, reintegration, and access to services. Her advocacy raises awareness and fosters belonging, making a lasting impact on Veterans and communities.

Dr. Rakesh Jetly, OMM, Ottawa, ON: Dr. Jetly, now a Veteran, spent decades practicing medicine in the Canadian military, including deployments to Rwanda and Afghanistan. As a senior leader in mental health, he spearheaded initiatives to improve the well-being of active troops and Veterans, directly impacting their health and care.

Caroline-Anne Juszczakiewicz-Tylko, Carp, ON: As a member of the City of Ottawa’s Veteran Task Force she assembled a team to help CAF members transition to new careers, post-service. For the past 25 years, she has championed the Veteran community by helping businesses integrate Veterans into their organizations.

Donald Lindsay, Vancouver, BC: As Chair of the 2025 Invictus Games, he generously dedicated his time, philanthropic funds, and leadership skills to guide Canada in hosting the event. His efforts have supported the recovery of ill and injured Veterans, fostering resilience and camaraderie.

Tiffany Lodder, Brighton, ON: As the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Operation Motorsport, she leads an organization using motorsports to aid the recovery of medically released and wounded Veterans. Focused on the tenets of Team, Identity, and Purpose, her leadership has transformed many Veterans’ lives.

Erica Leigh Oliver, Pembroke, ON: Her trailblazing journey in the CAF has inspired women and men across Canada. Now a Veteran and volunteer with True Patriot Love Foundation, she advocates for Veterans through her lived experience, volunteerism, and PhD research.

Dr. David Pedlar, Kingston, ON: Dr. Pedlar has dedicated his life to military and Veteran health research at various institutions including Veterans Affairs Canada and CIMVHR. He continues to support the international community interested in learning from Canada’s progress, including colleagues at NATO and in Ukraine.

Lynette Peters, East Lawrencetown, NS: Lynette Peters, spouse of an injured CAF veteran and researcher at Dalhousie University, founded Cerberus Pottery in 2017, offering no-cost access to Veterans, first responders, and families. Through her innovative research and programs, she advocates for creative healing in post-service transitions.

Sophie Richard, Ottawa, ON: Since 2006, Sophie has managed the HOPE/ESPOIR program, offering peer support to bereaved military families. She trains and guides volunteers, providing crucial assistance to those who have lost loved ones in the Canadian Forces, consistently going above and beyond.

Cal Wenzel, Calgary, AB: A dedicated philanthropist who supports Veterans and the Calgary community, he helps create lasting positive impact by funding local initiatives and championing many charitable causes.

Marvin Westwood, Vancouver, BC: A psychologist and professor, he has spent decades serving Veterans and active-duty members. As co-founder of the Veterans Transition Network, he developed evidence-based programs for PTSD and OSI, helping hundreds recover and training psychologists to extend his impact.

The honorees were presented with their medals at ceremonies across Canada during February, March and April 2025.

In addition, True Patriot Love CEO Nick Booth, and Chief Program Officer Namita Joshi, were honoured to be chosen by the government of Ontario to receive King Charles III Coronation Medals.

True Patriot Love also wishes to congratulate the following members of its Board of Directors who have received King Charles III Coronation Medals: Shaun Francis, Chair, and board members France Hébert, Duncan Sinclair and Bryn Weadon. True Patriot Love also congratulates long-time supporter and multi-year Expedition participant Tim Hodgson on being awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal.

About True Patriot Love

True Patriot Love is Canada’s foundation for the military community, working to support military members, Veterans, and their families at every stage of their journey. By working as a trusted partner with local charities, social enterprises, the Canadian Armed Forces and the federal and provincial governments, True Patriot Love advocates for the needs of military members and Veterans and ensures resources are directed where they are needed most. True Patriot Love has granted $47 million for Veterans and their families, reaching more than 41,000 beneficiaries and supported 1,065 community-based programs across the country. Learn more at:  https://truepatriotlove.com/