Sergeant (Retired) John Forbes was a Veteran of the Second World War with three years of service as a post-war Reservist. He is nominated for his contributions as a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10, Miramichi.
He became a member of the Legion after release from the forces. He was always available to help Veterans either directly or by providing guidance on where to get assistance. He also served as the Sick and Visiting Chair for his branch and frequently visited the Veterans wing at the local hospital, always encouraging others to join him.
For many years, he coordinated an annual Veterans’ Week luncheon, hosted by a grocery store chain in his area. He liaised with the stores, ensured all Veterans and their families were invited and collected various items from local businesses to be given as door prizes to attendees.
Sergeant Forbes participated in the Poppy Campaign for many years, both poppy tagging and seeking donations from local businesses for the Poppy Fund.
On the commemoration side, he visited several schools each year during Veterans’ Week, speaking to students and doing presentations. He also helped distribute Veterans Affairs Canada learning materials to Veterans and to local schools.