Kathleen Carlson has been helping Veterans through her involvement with the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association for 25 years.
As the daughter of a Hong Kong Veteran, Kathleen has dedicated her life to serving the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association. Her roles have ranged from being a member of the Board of Directors to being the coordinator of area representatives in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Her profession as a psychiatric nurse and her skills as a Community Worker Specialist have been helpful in her service of Veterans.
For 25 years she has maintained contact with members, Veterans, widows and families. She works with individuals to improve conditions, accessibility, and standards and services to allow them to better integrate or return to live more independent lives. She has organized luncheon meetings, and ensured attendance of widows, families and Veterans at Association meetings. She also arranged for the dedication and installation of 12 commemorative plaques in Legions across Alberta and Saskatchewan to recognize the Canadians who served in Hong Kong. She has been active in organizing special events for VJ Day, working with Indigenous and Métis peoples to confirm their participation in ceremonies and events. She developed and organized displays at the Military Museum, which promote the history of Canadians who fought in Hong Kong. She has worked with the city and given interviews to the media in recognition of Hong Kong Veterans.
Currently, she is the 80th anniversary Committee Chair for the convention in Ottawa in 2025, coordinating various aspects of the event. Throughout her life, Kathleen has been an organizer, innovator, facilitator, mentor and supporter, assisting many individuals and families to obtain a better quality of life. Her enthusiasm and dedication have been remarkable: words such as “can’t” and “not possible” are not part of her vocabulary, as she always finds a way forward for a good cause.