The NATO Veterans Organization of Canada was started by Tom Joordens in Fredericton, New Brunswick around the year 2007. Originally Tom for the first year called the organization the “NATO and NORAD Veterans Organization”. After a year he realized that NORAD was a non-starter for number of people to join and dropped the NORAD in the title.

He enlisted local members and suggested they become “Life Members” for $100. This way he could finance ordering NATO Vet badges, berets, mailing. Actually, Tom did everything himself from his office in his home – everything from application processing, purchasing NATO badges and pins, even a flag and office equipment and stationary. He did everything himself right down to packaging and mailing out the package at the local post office to new members.

Tom passed away in 2008 shortly after his visit to Ottawa. He was having a routine hip replacement and passed away on the operating table. His 2 !C in Fredericton wife was in the hospital seriously ill and he was not in a position to take over. Neither were other members of his small board in F’ton.

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