Rooted in Waterdown, Ontario, Canada, I am dedicated to honouring Canada’s history and upholding the enduring values of service and sacrifice. My work reflects a deep commitment to preserving the stories, heritage, and legacy that have shaped our nation.

Through leadership and action, I support initiatives both at home and abroad that strengthen international partnerships, promote historical awareness, and represent Canada with pride and distinction.

I believe the courage and dedication of those who served must never be forgotten. By sharing their stories and advancing meaningful initiatives, I strive to ensure their legacy is carried forward for future generations.

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Descended from a long line of military service, with family members who served in both wartime and peacetime, tracing back to the American Revolution of 1775. Later in life, I proudly served with the Canadian Forces Army, an experience that deepened my enduring passion for remembrance and honouring those who served.

My connection to the First World War is especially personal, as my great-uncle, Charles Arthur Parkes, served with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Through my ongoing visits to the battlefields of France and Belgium, that connection has only grown stronger.

In April 2017, I had the distinct honour, alongside Joseph Papia, of laying a wreath at the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge on behalf of Canada Post Corporation – Canadian Postal Corps. That same year, we successfully petitioned Canada Post Corporation to participate in the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa. On November 11, 2017, we became the first employees to lay a wreath on behalf of the Corporation at this national ceremony.

On November 11, 2018, marking the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day, we were again honoured to lay a wreath at St. Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons, Belgium—the place where the First World War ended for Canada.

These experiences stand among the most profound and life-changing honours of my life, shaping both my personal journey and my continued commitment to remembrance.

Over the years, my visits to the battlefields have also fostered a deep and enduring commitment to the memory of the 23 Canadian soldiers who were Shot at Dawn.

In 2001, the Government of Canada formally recognized these men—executed in France and Belgium during the First World War for alleged desertion and cowardice—by inscribing their names in the Book of Remembrance housed within Canada’s Parliament Buildings.

In September 2023, I travelled once more to the battlefields, visiting their graves and documenting the historical sites connected to their stories.

My aim is to help illuminate a “Pathway of Recognition and Acceptance” for these soldiers—one that may ultimately lead to the establishment of permanent memorials in France and Belgium, ensuring their legacy is acknowledged with dignity and understanding.

Regards,

Garth Wetherall

Waterdown, Ontario