His Honour, Colonel (Ret'd) the Honourable Donald Ethell had a distinguished military career of over 38 years in the Canadian Army, including 14 peacekeeping missions and other secondments to the UN and other international organizations. Following his retirement in 1993, he was actively engaged in direct service and/or the provision of support services to UN peacekeeping forces in several operations, to US Special Forces and to CARE Canada in East Africa.

He was also instrumental in the establishment and development of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping, which began in Alberta and spread across the country to mark August 11 as a national tribute to Canadian peacekeepers. 

His Honor's unwavering commitment to veterans and their families is exceptional. He has worked tirelessly "to reduce the stigma of mental illness, to improve the lives of those suffering from mental disorders, and to help families who have lost loved ones to military service". He has been an invaluable resource for the Operational Stress Injury Special Support Program, which has developed peer support services for bereaved families. He was also instrumental in the development of the New Veterans Charter in 2006, and has always been a strong advocate of the need to involve veterans and Canadian Forces members in the design, implementation and evaluation of government programs and services for veterans.

Donald Ethell currently serves his Alberta community as Lieutenant-Governor, a testament to the esteem in which he is held in his home province and among his peers.