Leo Henneberry made over 600 jumps during two Pacific Rim  tours: 15 months in Korea and seven months in Vietnam.

Korea is often described as Canada’s “Forgotten War,” Henneberry said, noting that 500 Canadians were lost in action during the conflict.  For years the war was ignored by the Canadian media and provincial and federal governments; it wasn’t until 1997, when the Wall of Remembrance was built in Brampton, Ontario, that the public became fully aware of the sacrifice their troops had made in the 1950s.

Although Canada was officially “non belligerent” in the Vietnam War, 30,000 Canadians volunteered to fight with the U.S. Army in the conflict and 110 of them died, with six listed as missing in action.

After leaving the service, Henneberry traveled the world as a diplomat, maintaining his excellent physical condition, even running in the first marathon held in China.

A keen sportsman, Henneberry was thrilled to witness the spirit in the Canadian Parapan Games camp last weekend. “It doesn’t matter where you are from, China or Newfoundland, sports brings people together,” he said.

Henneberry first wintered in Chapala 17 years ago. “I wanted to be near water and a golf course and, of course, the weather,” he said.