Canadians encouraged to send World War II veteran cards for his 100th birthday

What started with an image shared by a family member has become a national movement for a Second World War veteran’s birthday.

On February 2, Ron Arsenault shared a photo of Fred Arsenault, who is turning 100 on March 6.

“Hello. My name is Fred Arsenault,” reads a sign, held by the war veteran in the now-viral photo.

“I am a WW2 veteran about to turn 100 years old on March 6, 2020, and would like to receive 100 birthday cards. Please mail: 9 Kenmore Avenue, Toronto, ON, M1K 1B3, Canada. Thank you.”

Within a day of the photo being shared on Facebook, Toronto Mayor John Tory and Ontario Premier Doug Ford both tweeted the image, encouraging everyone to send Arsenault a birthday card.

Encouraging people to send birthday cards to WWII veteran Fred Arsenault. He’s turning 100 on March 6. Let’s get those cards in the mail to let him know we thank him for his service and wish him a very happy 100th birthday!
Thanks to @NEWSTALK1010 for sharing this post today. pic.twitter.com/rkTHfQoQxH

— John Tory (@JohnTory) February 3, 2020

Please join me in honouring this incredible veteran and sending him a birthday card for March 6 to celebrate his 100th birthday! Details on the photo. Thanks @NEWSTALK1010 for sharing this. pic.twitter.com/POpE59KJSZ

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) February 3, 2020

Along with the politicians, the official account for the Canadian Forces in the US also shared Arsenault’s birthday request.

“Dear friends, Once, buried alive by an enemy shell. His brothers dug him out. Once, a man standing beside him was shot and killed by a Nazi sniper. Once, Ortona, Monte Cassino, north through Italy to France. Now, he’d like to hear from you. Please write,” they wrote.

Dear friends,

Once, buried alive by an enemy shell. His brothers dug him out.

Once, a man standing beside him was shot and killed by a Nazi sniper.

Once, Ortona, Monte Cassino, north through Italy to France.

Now, he’d like to hear from you. Please write.

Yours,@CAFinUS pic.twitter.com/UHL59MYmlm

— Canadian Forces in 🇺🇸 (@CAFinUS) February 4, 2020

The Canadian Forces also shared a black and white image of Private Fred Arsenault.

In the black night, in the darkness of war, he would read letters from his mother. Tiny lights from home.

As he turns 100, far from those dark days, he’d like to read your words.

Won’t you shine your light?

Please write to Private Fred Arsenault. pic.twitter.com/zD2dngbjik

— Canadian Forces in 🇺🇸 (@CAFinUS) February 4, 2020

For those looking, again, here is how to send a card to Fred:

Fred Arsenault
9 Kenmore Avenue
Toronto, ON, M1K 1B3