The third Panamerican Day was held at the Sacred Space of Beechwood Cemetery on April 16th, 2025, where the Embassy of the Republic of Guatemala, in conjunction with the Latin American Soldiers Committee (LASC), hosted an event to celebrate the contributions of Latin Americans to Canada’s defence and security.
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Since 2022, the LASC has dedicated itself to finding the names and stories of Latin Americans who have served in and with the Canadian Armed Forces from WWI to present times. This not only includes those with Latino heritage born in Canada but also Latinos who came from their home countries to don the Canadian uniform and support our shared values. This includes 80 who served in WWI, mostly with the Expeditionary Force, and another 40 in WWII, mostly with the RCAF. As an identifiable group, these soldiers have never received the recognition they deserve and it is the desire of the LASC to rectify this and bring their stories to the forefront.
The event was MC’d by Mr. Nick McCarthy of Beechwood Cemetery who is also one of the founding members of the LASC, along with Mr. Giuseppe Marconi (Director en Emigrare) and Capt. Rey Garcia-Salas (CAF). The speakers at the event included the Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala to Canada, Her Excellency Guisela Atalida Godenez Sazo and LGen Paul Prévost Chief Professional Conduct and Culture (CAF). Both lauded to contributions of Latin Americans in Canada’s history.
Capt. Garcia-Salas next took the podium to provide an overview of the history of the LASC and how it started as far back as 2010 when he undertook to start researching these histories. He spoke of how this research became more involved eventually leading to the requirement for assistance and more resources than he could supply himself leading him to reach out to the various Latin American embassies for help. He then brought the audience up to speed on where the LASC was now after the publication of its first volume of stories. Giuseppe Marconi followed bringing the audience news on how the LASC is building community awareness.
Nick McCarthy then went on to explain one of the LASC initiatives of creating and launching student based study guides which are to be long form narratives that will humanize the people in these stories and help children to understand their sacrifices. The stories will have question and answer sections and there is a drive to make this part of a curriculum within embassies and the CAF, as well as school boards and heritage groups. This long form biographical book will help show those of Latinx heritage how they fit into the narrative of their own country and then how they came to Canada and then served with Canadians and other allies.
Capt. Garcia-Salas and Mr. Marconi then brought the assemblage up to speed on upcoming events within the LASC sphere. Specifically mentioned were the Latin American Remembrance Day in October, and a possible vigil for Cpl. Francisco Oliver Gomez, born in Venezuela and serving with the PPCLI, who was killed 22 July, 2006, while in Afghanistan, by a suicide bomber who attacked their combat service support convoy.
The last items on the program were an award to Fabiola Yzeta-Vincent for her work supporting the Latin American community and a wreath was laid by the Guatemalan Ambassador for the fallen Latin American soldiers. 
With the event now ended, everyone was invited to a reception showcasing Guatemalan food and Guatemalan coffee.
