Heroes Among Us

Discover the stories of the veterans who live at Veterans Memorial Lodge.

Broadmead Care is proud to present Heroes Among Us, a special feature in the Times Colonist honouring Canada’s veterans. These brave men and women served our country selflessly, and it’s time to celebrate their remarkable stories. This year holds special significance as we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. It is also a time to reflect on the strength of our communities and the vital support provided by organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion and its dedicated members.

Heroes Among Us showcases stories of veterans at Broadmead Care, highlighting their experiences from the Second World War, the Korean War, and modern conflicts. The series runs in the Times Colonist for five weeks starting in September, and will culminate in an eight-page special edition on October 25, 2025. Join us as we honour the heroes among us, and celebrate their incredible contributions to our country.

Click an image below to discover the full story in our Heroes Among Us series.

John Watts – published September 20, 2025


Phil Leigh – published September 27, 2025


Rebekah Clark – published October 5, 2025


Marilyn “Sam” Mersereau – published October 12, 2025


Messages of Thanks to Veterans from Donors Like You:

  • “Thank you for your service.” — Warren R.
  • “Thank you. Two small words trying to encompass my whole heart’s gratitude.” — Graeme B.
  • “Thank you for your courageous service to our country.” — Mark B.
  • “For the vets, saying ‘Thank you for your service’ is not enough. My mom stayed at VML earlier this year and passed there. I know they do good work. Good luck!” — Rick S.
  • “Tomorrow is Battle of Britain Remembrance Day. I am a retired Naval and Airforce pilot and will be spending the day thanking all those Canadian veterans who served their country with pride and distinction.” — Ted G.
  • “Thank you for your contribution to the liberation of The Netherlands, 1944/1945.” — Anke S.
  • “Thank you for serving your country with such valour.” — Anne P.
  • “Your dedication and sacrifice will never be forgotten.” — Lucy M.
  • “Grateful for the freedoms we enjoy because of your service.” — John K.
  • “Heroes don’t always wear capes; some wear uniforms.” — Sarah L.
  • “To all veterans, thank you for your bravery and resilience.” — Michael T.
  • “Honouring those who served is the least we can do.” — Emily R.
  • “Your courage inspires generations. Thank you.” — David H.
  • “Thank you for defending our nation and values.” — Karen W.
  • “Thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.” — Susan S.
  • “Thank you for your service. We will remember them.” — Dave W.
  • “This year we visited the Normandy beaches and many of the Canadian cemeteries in France. We shed tears, but we’re glad we could see the names of the soldiers who gave their life for our freedom.” — Edwina M.
  • “I and my husband’s Dads, and my husband served in the wars. My Dad was also in Veterans Memorial Lodge. I am grateful for the freedom we enjoy today. Thank you.” — Jo-Ann H.