fred arsenault toronto

All this Toronto war veteran wants for his 100th birthday is a birthday card

A war veteran's 100th birthday wish will likely be coming true this year, thanks to the power of social media. 

A photo of Toronto resident Fred Arsenault, a soon-to-be centenerian who served with the Cape Breton Highlanders during WWII, has been making its rounds on the Internet since first being published on Reddit Sunday afternoon. 

Someone posted a picture of the former machine gunner decked out in full Canadian Army veteran ceremonial regalia, holding up a sign with a small request. 

"I'm a WW2 veteran about to turn 100 years old on March 6th 2020 and would like to receive 100 brithday cards," says the sign. 

The sign includes the address of what's presumably Arsenault's Scarborough home. 

Since going up, the photo has received hundreds of comments, likes, shares on Reddit and Twitter, where Mayor John Tory tweeted a shout-out to the vet. 

"Well Fred, it is the very least we grateful Canadians can do to thank you for your service to Canada and Canadians," wrote one Twitter user. "One hundred years old, that's worth a medal." 

Lead photo by

u/hector_c_toronto


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Costco Canada offering membership deal but you don't have much time

Canada Post hikes stamp prices and here's how much more you'll have to pay

The TTC is hiring for a bunch of well-paying jobs and here are some open roles

The first child tax payment of 2025 is coming to Canadians next week

Here are some new Canadian government jobs in Ontario that pay really well

Traffic along key Toronto artery to worsen drastically thanks to contentious development

Ontario's remaining winter weather could be all over the place as La Niña arrives

Canadians will soon get even more coverage from free healthcare plans