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TORONTO — Veterans at a care centre in Toronto gathered Thursday to present their art therapy work to Prince Harry and share their stories ahead of Remembrance Day, as they reflected on the lasting impact of their sacrifices in service.
The Duke of Sussex called it a highlight of his two-day visit to Toronto, which included several events in support of Canadian veterans and military members.
Sitting in a woodworking studio at Sunnybrook Hospital’s veterans centre, a group of residents painted red poppies onto wood carvings. Among them was Ozzie Reece, 75, who served in the Canadian military for more than three decades.
Remembrance Day is important to him and it’s something he looks forward to, he said, because it’s a reminder of his family’s ties to service.
“It means a lot to me because my grandfather fought in both world wars, so it always brings back memories of what he did,” said Reece. “I had a chance to be part of it, too. So it’s very exciting for me.”
Now his own daughter is serving in the military, he said. That legacy is part of why the community at the care centre is so special to him, he added, because his fellow residents also understand what it’s like to serve and they often discuss their stories while creating art together.
“It’s beautiful because for us, we share our feelings and it’s nice to see one another and remember the things we do in the past,” he said with a smile. “We like each other, we look out for each other.”
Moments later, Reece and other residents shared their work with Prince Harry.
The Duke of Sussex, who served in Afghanistan as a member of the British military, was visiting Sunnybrook at the invitation of the True Patriot Love Foundation, which supports Canadian military members, veterans and their families.
The veterans centre is the largest of its kind in Canada, and it supports more than 300 veterans from the Second World War and the Korean War through specialized care, including art therapy.
At the centre’s art studio, the duke met with more veterans including 97-year-old Richard Ratcliff, who has tufted more than 50 custom rugs during his time at Sunnybrook, and 101-year-old former pilot Jim LaForce, whom the duke helped paint red poppies onto an army helmet. Several helmets painted by veterans were to be auctioned off that night to support the foundation.
But one was saved as a gift for Prince Harry and painted with a Canadian landscape, explained 101-year-old veteran Brenda Reid.
“We have a helmet, especially for you, and it represents the Invictus Games in Vancouver,” she told the duke, noting that she’d painted mountains and trees onto the helmet with the help of fellow residents.
Prince Harry thanked the residents for their service before giving them each a medallion keepsake.
“Thank you for your stories, for your sense of humour, for your skilled artwork in every form,” he told the group.
Prince Harry added that he hoped the residents have the opportunity to reflect on their service ahead of Remembrance Day, and Canadians at large do, too.
“I hope collectively, as a society, we can prevent ourselves from repeating some of the mistakes of the past,” he said. “There’s a lot to learn here around this table and in this building, so I hope that people can listen.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2025.
Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press
