October 23, 2025.  On October 1, 2025, I received the Prince Edward Island Senior Islander of the Year Award from the Prince Edward Island Seniors Secretariat of Prince Edward Island, for my involvement with Hear PEI, a volunteer organization that works to build awareness of hearing loss issues, and in the ongoing research and writing of stories connected to the On The War Memorial Trail Research Project, sharing the untold stories of brave Canadians who served in the two World Wars, all based on Pieter’s research. (See https://theauralreport.wordpress.com/)

…The awards ceremony was held in Charlottetown…

The luncheon and award ceremony was held at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel in Charlottetown.  My guests were Hear PEI Co-President Annie Lee MacDonald, Hear PEI member Barbara Bain, and my husband Pieter.  The Honourable Matt MacFarlane, MLA for District 19 Borden-Kinkora, who represents the area where Pieter and I live, also sat at our table.

The plaque was presented by the Honourable Barb Ramsay, Minister for the Department of Social Development and Seniors, and Peter Holman, Chairperson, PEI Seniors Secretariat.   (See https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/news/older-islanders-celebrated-with-senior-islander-of-the-year-award)

…The citation…

Below is the short biography, prepared by Melanie Melanson, Seniors Policy Advisor, Division of Strategy, Policy and Seniors, Department of Social Development and Seniors for the Government of Prince Edward Island, that was read out in outlining the reason for the award being presented: 

“….Daria’s involvement with Hear PEI, a volunteer organization that works to build awareness of hearing loss issues, is endless.  She is the co-president of this group and volunteers tirelessly to make public places more accessible for the hard of hearing through technology.

She was instrumental in coordinating the training of 2 installers for the hearing loop technology which is installed in 4 Access PEI’s and six churches across the Island, Prince County Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Charlottetown City Hall, and the South Shore Pharmacy.  Through her advocacy work with Hear PEI, the group was instrumental in introducing pocket talkers to Island lawyers, hospitals, clinics and their clients.

Her dedication to this group has led to podcasts and videos that address topics of interest to individuals experiencing hearing loss and to the publishing of a booklet entitled, “Pardon me, What did you say?”  Her blog ‘The Aural Report’ as well as the ‘Hearing Challenges’ column in the County Line Courier newspaper help to reach an even wider audience. 

Daria was instrumental in the research connected to the On The War Memorial Trail Research Project, along with her husband, which included putting a face on every name on the cenotaph at the Borden-Carleton Legion. Her book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten’ documented a war memorial tour in Europe to visit the graves and memorials of these men, a trip that took them through 4 countries over 6 weeks and 7,000 km.

She has also dedicated her time to writing, in the On The War Memorial Trail blog and newspaper column, about the untold stories of brave Canadians who served in the two World Wars, all based on her husband’s research. 

These stories have not only brought families together but have also served to educate many generations to the courageous sacrifices of these brave Canadians. Over the past years, her efforts have been recognized both here at home and in The Netherlands.

As one person said, “Daria is passionate about her community, province and country.  There is no limit to her energy when she believes something is worthwhile”….”

…Our local MLA also spoke …

Matt MacFarlane also spoke a few words about me during the luncheon, and later posted the following comment on his Facebook page, along with photos from the ceremony:

“…What a pleasure it was to attend yesterday’s Senior Islander of the Year Ceremony and meet this year’s recipients who are each so deserving. Among them, I was honoured to have the opportunity to say a few words on behalf of award recipient, friend and neighbour Daria Valkenburg, who has dedicated years of her life to building awareness, promoting hearing accessibility, and advocating on behalf of those experiencing hearing loss. Daria has also contributed countless hours to genealogical, historical and military research to ensure that no fallen soldier is forgotten, and has written books, articles, blogs and so much more on these and many other subjects. Congratulations Daria, so well deserved. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for our community and beyond….”

I was deeply touched by Matt’s words, and thank everyone who was involved in the nomination process for the Senior Islander of the Year Award, and who wrote letters supporting the nomination.

The research continues. If you have a story or photo to share, please contact Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

….Want to follow our research?…

If you are reading this posting, but aren’t following our research, you are welcome to do so.  Our blog address: https://onthewarmemorialtrail.com/

4 countries, 6 weeks, 7,000 km – an unforgettable war memorial journey in Europe…. Daria’s book ‘No Soldier Buried Overseas Should Ever Be Forgotten‘ is available in print and e-book formats.  Net proceeds of book sales help support research costs and the cost of maintaining this blog. For more information see https://nosoldierforgotten.com/

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: On The War Memorial Trail With Pieter Valkenburg: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ591TyjSheOR-Cb_Gs_5Kw. 

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