Canadians asked to send World War II veteran cards for upcoming 100th birthday

Jan 19 2021, 5:34 pm

Veteran Ed Stafford won’t be able to gather with his loved ones for his 100th birthday on January 31, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get to celebrate on this special day.

Canadians were asked to send the World War II trooper a birthday card to help “make this a memorable day” and “let him know that people are thinking of him” in social media posts from the 4th Canadian Division on January 14.

You’ve probably seen Governor General’s Horse Guards post about Trooper Ed Stafford, one of their World War 2 veterans….

Posted by 4th Canadian Division – 4e Division du Canada onĀ Thursday, 14 January 2021

Since then, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Defence Harjit Sajjan have shared the message, encouraging people to write to Stafford and honour this milestone.

Stafford is a former trooper with the Governor General’s Horse Guard, as he explained in a video created in 2018 as part of the City of Toronto’s annual Remembrance Day programs.

“I worked in communications,” he said. “I took officers and supplies from one squadron to another.”

Stafford, who grew up in the west end of Toronto, also said he served in Italy and Holland between 1940 and 1945, enrolling when he was around 20 years old.

“We shouldn’t forget,” he added. “And never let it happen again.”

Canadians wishing to send Stafford a birthday wish can do so to the following address:

Ed Stafford
4251 Dundas Street West
Etobicoke, ON M8X 2Z5

Elyette LevyElyette Levy

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