Celebrating Pan American Day 2025: Connecting Nations and Honoring Latin American Service in Canada

By Capt. Rey GARCIA-SALAS.- Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa.- On a clear spring morning in Ottawa, dignitaries, senior and junior military officials, Military Attaches in Canada, diplomats, educators, and members of the Latin American community gathered at the sacred grounds of Beechwood National Cemetery, Canada’s National Military Cemetery, to mark the third annual Pan American Day ceremony. Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Guatemala and the Latin American Soldiers Committee (LASC), the event was a heartfelt tribute to the enduring bonds between Canada and the nations of the Americas, and to the Latin American Canadians who have served this country with honour and distinction.

Pan American Day, celebrated on April 14, commemorates the founding of the Pan American Union in 1890, the precursor to today’s Organization of American States (OAS). This day marks a historic commitment to continental cooperation, diplomacy, and peaceful coexistence among the nations of the Western Hemisphere.

Its significance lies in the shared values it represents—democracy, peace, human rights, mutual respect, and solidarity—and the belief that our nations are stronger together. In Canada, where Latin American communities are vibrant and growing, Pan American Day has become a powerful platform to recognize the cultural and military contributions of Latin Americans to Canadian society.

With the theme “Connecting Nations and Empowering Communities,” this year’s Pan American Day ceremony paid tribute to the courageous Latin Americans who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) from the First World War to modern-day operations. Beechwood Cemetery, a place of remembrance and national reverence, offered a solemn and powerful setting for this important gathering.

The presence of senior leaders from the Canadian Armed Forces underscored the institutional support for recognizing Latin American service members. In attendance were:

• Lieutenant-General Paul Prévost, Commander, Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (CPCC), who delivered the official CAF address, honoring Latin American service and calling for more inclusive remembrance practices.
• Major-General Scott Malcolm, Surgeon General of the CAF, representing Military Personnel Command.
• Brigadier-General Todd Balfe, Royal Canadian Air Force, Director General of Force Development, attending on behalf of the Commander of the RCAF.

While LGen Prévost took the podium, MGen Malcolm and BGen Balfe offered their presence and support, reflecting the CAF’s growing acknowledgment of the diverse contributions within its ranks.

The ceremony was formally opened by Mr. Nick McCarthy, founding member of the LASC and Community Outreach Director at Beechwood, who introduced the program and its significance.

Her Excellency Ambassador Guisela Godinez of Guatemala delivered a stirring address, highlighting the longstanding cultural and military connections between Latin America and Canada. She emphasized that even before Latin American communities were formally established in Canada, individuals from the region had voluntarily served in Canadian uniform in defense of shared values.

LGen Prévost followed with an emotional tribute to Latin American members of the Canadian Armed Forces, noting that patriotism is not defined by birthplace but by one’s willingness to defend freedom and justice.

Captain Rey Garcia-Salas, co-founder of the LASC, recounted the Committee’s origin and its goal: to research, document, and celebrate the service of Latin Americans in the CAF—stories often missing from mainstream military history. What began as personal research in 2016 has evolved into a national initiative with growing institutional and diplomatic support.

He shared the expansion of LASC’s research to include Puerto Rico, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Colombia,and Venezuela, and emphasized the importance of extended biographies in humanizing these stories and fostering intergenerational pride.

Mr. McCarthy introduced the newly developed Latin American Soldiers Study Guide, an educational resource aimed at students, teachers, heritage groups, and veterans’ organizations. The guide includes biographies, discussion activities, and commemoration tools to foster reflection and deeper engagement with Canada’s multicultural military legacy.

Its purpose is to integrate these overlooked narratives into classrooms and community programs—ensuring Latin American youth in Canada see themselves reflected in the nation’s story.

Mr. Giuseppe Marconi, advocate and co-founder of the LASC, stressed the importance of connection and visibility in the Latin American Canadian experience. He encouraged attendees to strengthen community bonds, preserve stories, and support education initiatives that inspire civic engagement.

Together with Capt. Garcia-Salas, he shared the LASC’s upcoming plans:

• 4th Annual Latin American Remembrance Ceremony – October 19, 2025
• Vigil for Cpl. Francisco Oliver Gomez – July 16, 2025
• Petition campaign to recognize the third Sunday of October as Latin American Remembrance Day
• Plaque Plaque recognition awarded to YZeta Meetings & Events Management for its support of the LASC. Its president, Fabiola Yzeta-Vincent, a respected community leader, was acknowledged for organizing Canada’s first-ever graphical exhibition of Latin American military contributions during the World Wars, held at Gallery 55 in Ottawa in 2022.

Among the many community leaders who attended and supported the event were Betsy Requena, Christophe Baldacchino, Rosa Montoya, and Lisa Robles—each of whom has played an important role in promoting Latin American heritage, civic engagement, and intergenerational education within Canada’s multicultural framework. Their presence underscored the collective commitment to preserving and sharing the Latin American legacy within Canadian history.

In one of the most solemn moments of the day, Ambassador Guisela Godinez, accompanied by Mr. Giuseppe Marconi, laid a wreath in honour of Canadian soldiers of Latin American heritage—those who served in World War I, World War II, Korea, peacekeeping missions, and modern operations like Afghanistan.

To lay a wreath on Pan American Day is to do more than commemorate—it is to affirm the deep intercontinental ties and honour the sacrifices of those who defended Canadian and Allied values of freedom, dignity, and peace. It is a gesture of unity and visibility that reclaims Latin American narratives in Canada’s national story.

This tribute reminds us that remembrance is an active responsibility—a public declaration that no contribution will be forgotten, and every story will find its rightful place in history.

Following a final video celebrating Latin American food and culture, Mr. Diego Meneses of the Embassy of Guatemala offered closing remarks. Guests were invited to a reception featuring traditional Guatemalan cuisine and coffee, a vibrant close to a powerful day of unity, memory, and hope.

A Call to Action

Pan American Day 2025 was more than a commemoration—it was a declaration of identity, inclusion, and shared future. It honored the courageous service of Latin Americans in Canada’s military history, called for broader representation in our collective memory, and invited every Canadian to help build a more just, inclusive, and united country.

Event photos available at:
Richard Lawrence Photography – PanAm 2025